Thought of the Day !!

Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel.  You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

                                                               Leviticus 19:2 (NLT) 

I was reading an article where the Barna Group did a survey on people's understanding, or lack of understanding of holiness.  It seems that many of us don't understand what it means to be holy even though, as Barna points out, God's people are called holy more than two dozen times in the New Testament.

What is your definition of holiness?  What does it mean to be holy?  Is this something you ever think about?  Is it something that you can obtain?  Or is this set aside for that special Sunday School teacher that taught you about Jesus or the lady down the street that always seems to be in a good mood and comes to church every Sunday or the preachers filling the pulpits?  (Many may have their doubts about some of the latter in today's world.)

Paul gives us an idea of holiness in his first letter to the church in Corinth.

Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple. Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards. - I Corinthians 3:16-18 

Being a Christian means that we become part of God's temple, part of the body of Christ, and therefore holy.  And as such, we are to "become wise by God's standards."  This means becoming "right" with God, living by His standards set forth by His Son Jesus.

So you are holy when you live your life trying to be right with God.  It's not when you're perfect.  It's when you're striving for Christian Perfection.

In the love of Christ,

greg

Thought of the Day !!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
                                                             Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

The 23rd Psalm is a favorite to many.  It's one of the most requested and read scriptures at funerals.  But why?

This verse may be the key to answering that question.  It speaks of how we can go down in the valleys of life, even the valley that will lead to death, and our God is right there to comfort us.  What a wonderful thought.  No matter how far we travel, how bad things get, how much we mess up, or even how close to death we may be, our God puts His arms around us and consoles us.  He doesn't want us to think we're in this life alone.  And He wants us to know when it's all over we can face the end with confidence in Him through His Son Jesus. 

Thank you God for caring so much about us.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."  Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
                                                             Matthew 5:18-20 (ESV)

Jesus calls all disciples to become fishers of men (women and children).  But the real question is, “What will be our response?”  Many people’s response to follow Jesus and become fishers of people will be “no”.  It’s too hard giving up some of those nets we hold so dear.  Some simply won’t let go of the nets of prejudice.  They believe that those whom we’re called to reach out to are not worthy.  Just like Jonah, they run from the call of evangelism because deep down they don’t like the people whom they’re called to witness to.

Others will say no because their net is the net of fear.  It could be dangerous to go where those people are whom Jesus is sending us to.

Another net is the one of doubt.  They doubt their abilities, therefore they doubt that God can actually use them.

The second response is “maybe later”.  This is the response of procrastination. Many aren’t ready to give up their lifestyles for the sake of the call just yet.  Many are waiting till they have more money or the kids are out of school or they retire etc. In other words, they're looking for just the right time, which will probably never come.

Many, thankfully, respond with “Yes Lord, send me.”  These are the people who truly have a heart for Jesus, whose lives have been impacted so much by Him that they simply cannot say “no”.  Those who say, “Yes, Lord, I’ll follow you wherever you ask me to go”, do so out of gratitude for the one who saved their lives.

What is your answer going to be?  Will you say no, with words or with your lack of action?  Will you refuse to give up your nets?  Or will you say “Maybe later”?  Will you procrastinate?  Or is it time to let go of whatever may be holding you back and just go for it?  Give God a chance to do something new and exciting in you…with you.

Becoming fishers of people means spreading the gospel with our actions and our words and our whole lives.  Isn't it about time we all went fishing?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
                                                   Romans 12:18 (NIV)

We can't control others, but we can control ourselves.  There will always be those out there that make it difficult to live peacefully with, but Jesus never said being like Him would always be a piece of cake.  We must hold our tongues, control our anger and not retaliate in any way.

The only way to be successful in this endeavor is to look to Jesus for guidance and pray for help.  Again, sometimes it will be difficult, and sometimes we will fail.  It's then that we must ask forgiveness and try again to live peacefully with our brothers and sisters.

Is there someone in your life that you find it difficult living peacefully with?  If so, whenever you think about their faults, think about yours as well.  Pray good things for them.  Ask God to give you the right words when you are together.  And do your best to stay out of situations that will cause fights and/or arguments.

This will not always be easy.  But it will be Christlike.  So as you act Christlike to your brothers and sisters, may God bless you, whether they do or not.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.
                                                   Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

How often have we missed opportunities to share our faith with those who've not truly accepted Jesus?  Some people can talk to a sign post.  Yet others have trouble beginning conversations.  Many of us are afraid of saying the wrong things, or we feel inadequate in our own faith to share.  But if God provides a moment for us to share our story, there's no wrong words.  Our faith story is our story of our own love of Christ and how our lives have changed because of what He's done for us.  You don't have to have any grand theological words.  As a matter of fact, it's normally more effective when you don't.  Just talk to people honestly and openly.

The latter part of this verse teaches us to let our conversation be "gracious and effective".  When we attempt to speak to people about Christ, these two things should be first and foremost on our minds.  We're not going to win people to the Lord by pointing out all their faults or telling them that if they don't get saved that they're going to hell.  True evangelism is about forming relationships with people so that you open up to them honestly and in a loving way.  Then what we say will be credible. 
In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"  And he replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."  Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
                                                           Mark 5:9-10 (NLT)

This is the story about how Jesus comes to the region of the Gerasenes and confronts a mad man who's been living in a cemetery.  This man is filled with demons, and they know that Jesus is the Son of God.  They know His power.  And they are obedient to him when he sends them out of the man and into a herd of pigs that are nearby. 

Even the demons are obedient to Jesus.  Yet I have to ask myself, "How often is it that I'm not?" 

We all know Jesus as loving, so much so that he willingly died for our sins.  We've all heard the scriptures that tell us about the character of Jesus and how he taught us.  We've felt the mercy of His saving grace (hopefully).  But do we realize that obedience to Him is one of the essential foundations of our Christian lives in much the same way obedience to parents is for small children? 

He knows what's best for us.  He knows how our lives interact with His other brothers and sisters.  He knows what we need and what will fulfill us and bring us joy.  He also knows what will bring us down.  So lets take some time to search for the ways that we're not being obedient.  That's the first step to actual change.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

                                                        1 Peter 1:23 (NLT)

 

God spoke and we came into existence.  His word is powerful.  With it He creates, condemns, tears down and punishes.

 

God's word is instructive.  With it He teaches and gives guidance.

 

God's word is gentle.  With it He gives mercy and shows love.

 

God's word is eternal.  With it He gives new life that lasts forever; a life that will see no death, no pain and suffering.  In this world we are born because of an act of a man and woman.  But it is God who created us with an eternal soul while we were still in our mother's womb.  And this eternal soul is meant to live forever in a relationship with the ultimate Creator, through His Son. 

 

There's a story that I've heard at funerals (and even used once or twice).  It's about a dying woman who brings in her new pastor to make the arrangements for her funeral.  She tells him that she wants him to make sure a fork is placed in her hand as she lays in her coffin.  When the people ask about this peculiar sight, she told the pastor to explain about all the church meals that she attended.  At each meal when the plate was taken up she would be told to keep her fork, for the best was yet to come (the dessert). 

 

She wanted everyone to know that she knew that the best was yet to come.  And so it goes with us.  Some will struggle with more physical ailments than others.  Some will have more emotional stress than others.  Some will be born with more defects than others.  But we all suffer to some degree in this life because of the fact that sin came into this perfect world.

 

The eternal soul that God created in our mothers' wombs, however, will continue on past this lifetime; a lifetime of pain and sorrow...of joy and happiness...of fear and trembling.  And for those of us who decide to accept the invitation into a loving relationship with God, through His Son, the best is yet to come.

 

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
                                                     Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Prayer should be a major part of our lives.  It's how we communicate with God.  Therefore let us be thankful that we have a God who loves us enough that He wants us to stay in touch. 

Whenever you pray, you come closer to God.  Something magical happens when I simply open my mouth and say the word, "Lord".  He hears me.  Millions of other people may be calling out to Him at the same time, but He hears me.  And that's an awesome thing to wrap my mind around.  I have enough problems tuning in to one person sometimes without my mind wandering, but my Father in Heaven hears every soul that is calling out to Him and knows each word, each syllable that each person on earth utters.  Wow!

So as I am thankful for the love of our Lord, who wants to speak to me often I also am amazed at His greatness.  Think about how amazing our God is today.  And thank Him for being mindful of you.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

                                                                 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (ESV)

If we will humble ourselves, repent, seek God's face and pray to Him, He will listen.  This was His promise to the people of Israel.  This is His promise to us today.  No matter how far we fall, we can be forgiven.  No matter how bad things get, God can fix them.  Our God listens.  Our God heals.  Humble yourself and pray to Him today.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

But we are citizens of Heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.  He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

                                                        Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

Yesterday I shared from verses 18 and 19 about how Paul was saddened by the so called "believers" in Philippi who were living their lives contrary to the Gospel.  You might say that their citizenship remained in this world.  Today let us talk about the alternative to living as citizens of this world.

Paul teaches us that as believers we are citizens of another place.  We are citizens of Heaven where our Lord and Savior now resides.  In other words, His home is offered to us as our own home.  So if this is true, let us live like it.

Our citizenship in Heaven means that Jesus is not only Savior, as many seem to think.  He is not just a ticket to Heaven.  Paul calls him "the Lord Jesus Christ".  He not only saves us, but he is the one to whom we give our lives to.  When we claim Jesus as Lord we commit to Him, to honor Him, to love Him, to obey Him.

But Jesus is not like any other Lord.  He is not like any king or queen or president or dictator.  Obedience to Him is not something He seeks so that He can become more or better.  Obedience to Him means living out our lives in a way that is better for others, and ultimately better for us.  In our obedience we don't find burdensome laws, but things that make our lives better.  And when we obey and love Jesus then our citizenship is found in Heaven.

In the love of Christ,

greg

Thought of the Day !!

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.  They are headed for destruction.  Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

                                                Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT)

As Paul is writing to Christians in Philippi he is in tears.  It hurts to think how those he has preached the good news to and are calling themselves believers have gone so wrong.  Their god is their appetite, which means not only food but anything they desire for themselves.  It means that instead of Jesus and His ways ruling their lives, their own desires come first.  How many Christians today might fall into this category of proclaiming Jesus as Lord and denying that claim by living their lives for themselves?

Paul also says that these Philippian "believers" brag about shameful things.  You would think that Christians today would try not to do shameful things.  And when they do them, you would think they would not share them with their pastor, unless maybe in a moment of confession and guidance.  But you might be surprised how many church members have come to me over my 14 years of ministry and in what can only be deemed as bragging, joyfully told me the shameful things that they've done.  How do you think God feels when we're more proud of a drunken excursion than a time when we experienced Him?

Lastly, Paul says that they think only about this life here on earth.  As faithful followers of Jesus how can we live as though this world and what it has to offer us is all there is?  Many live as though their citizenship is here on earth, which means that they must get as much out of it as they can, and sometimes to the detriment of others.  Paul continues in the next couple verses to share that we are to live as citizens of Heaven, not this world.  In tomorrow's "Thought of the Day !!" I will share these verses as we look at what this means.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
                                                                  Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)


God has plans for His people during Jeremiah's day.  This is part of a letter being sent to those in exile in Babylon.  They will be there for 70 years as punishment for abandoning Him, but will be brought back and given yet another chance.  That is the hope for the Israelites, the hope of another chance.

We have this same hope.  When we mess up our lives in small, or even big ways, we have hope of another chance and of a future with God.  So if you've got anything in your life that is getting between you and God, turn from it and come back to Him.  For our God is a God of hope and of second chances. 

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

How great are your works, O Lord!
     Your thoughts are very deep!
The stupid man cannot know;
     the fool cannot understand this:
that though the wicked sprout like grass
     and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
     but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
     for behold, your enemies shall perish;
     all evildoers shall be scattered.
                        Psalm 92:5-9 (ESV)

Have you ever wondered why bad people often get away with all kinds of stuff?  Do you ever believe the guilty person gets an innocent verdict?  Have you ever wondered how the Bernie Madoff's of the world can live with themselves?  Have you ever seen someone that you know is guilty as can be, but is living the high life?

First of all, these people who are evil and who seemingly have everything going right for them do in fact have their own problems.  Many are addicted to one thing or another.  Many are constantly looking over their shoulders.  And health issues find us all at some time or another.

But as I read this Psalm it reminded me that I should feel sorry for these people.  Yes, they have good things now.  But they are "doomed to destruction forever".  They may flourish now, but will wither as eternity approaches.

The evildoer has a time now of selfishness that makes him feel on top of the world.  But the time of eternity that lasts forever and ever will be a time of life for those whose trust is in the Lord and a time of death for those who are evil.  Pray for those people today who've been duped by the world and the one who rules it for now. 

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
                                                                 Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

Patience is a virtue that many people will honestly claim not to have.  But in truth, when we learn to be patient, we find that life is much easier and satisfying.

We must remember that God is timeless and that His timing is not always in line with ours.  Just because God doesn't seem to answer your prayers in what you feel is a timely manner doesn't mean that He's not listening and acting.  He's actively involved in our lives whether we wait patiently on Him or not. 

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

When the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw (Jesus) eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
                                                            Mark 2:16-17 (NLT)

How often might we miss those living in the margins of society because we don't allow our faith to leave our clean and secure church buildings?

Jesus came to heal those who were sick in a spiritual sense more than anything.  Even though they can be found within the church walls, they are more prevalent outside of them.  As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world until His second coming.  So we might ask ourselves, "If Jesus were to come today to walk with us, where might he spend his time and who might he eat with?"

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 

                                        Philippians 3:12 (NLT)

 

We see here that Paul still wasn't perfect as he wrote this letter to the Philippians.  He was striving for perfection, pressing on to possess it.  But he had not achieved it.  That can actually be comforting because if the great Apostle Paul still had a ways to go it's okay for me to be a work in progress, that is, if I continue to press on.

What about you?  Are you pressing on to possess the perfection in Christ?  Are you motivated by His love and wisdom?  Do you strive daily, not to simply do more, but become more closer to Jesus?

Many who call themselves Christians have plateaued, or become complacent.  Many won't make a difference in this world because they see Jesus as Savior whom they confess, but not Lord whom they will follow.  Don't be one of these people.  Continue to grow into the great love of your God through His Son Jesus.  Spend time with Him...quiet time.  Seek His guidance, His wisdom, and you will see just how contrary it is to the world's. 

Let us all press on to possess the perfection of Jesus and that Jesus meant us to possess.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Don't praise yourself; let others do it!
                       Proverbs 27:2 (NLT)

And what about when others don't notice or lend their praise?  Sometimes we feel that we should receive the recognition that we deserve, don't we?  But then again, if we think we deserve the recognition, could it be that we did something good for a poor reason? 

If it were fair for us to receive all the praise that we deserve, wouldn't it also be fair for us to receive all the criticism that we deserve?  But we don't want to hear that. 

Basically, God knows all the good we do; the kind words said, the offerings made, the deeds done for others, etc.  And God, who knows all we do, will reward us one day for being the overall person He created us to be.  He won't forget those acts of kindness that others will.  He won't forget those times where you sacrificed, even when others will.  He won't forget those times that you acted and nobody else even noticed.  He won't forget when we do these things out of our love for Him and for others instead of so that we can be noticed by people.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

                                                    Jude 1:17-23 NIV

 

Praying in the Holy Spirit means not just praying for things you want.  It means letting the Spirit guide you as you honor your Father in Heaven and as you pray for those who are truly in need.

 

One more thing that came to mind about this Scripture was the word mercy.  It says to "be merciful to those in doubt", and "to others show mercy, mixed with fear."  We live in a world of revenge and looking out for number one.  Having mercy may include forgiveness.  It may mean going into uncomfortable places or situations.  It may mean looking weak to peers.  But in truth, we can never show as much mercy to others as God has shown to us.  Think about that the next time you have something you can hold over another or the next time someone needs help.  God is all about love and mercy.  And He hopes that His children are like the apples that don't fall too far from the tree.

 

In the love of Christ,
greg