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 !!

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 16 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.  This means living by the standards Jesus set forth so that we, as well as those around us, can found joy and peace.  It means living as though what we have now are gifts from God that are but cheap imitations compared to what we will have one day.  It means loving God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves.  

In the love of Christ,

greg

Thought of the Day !!

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.  Think about things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

Paul tells us to set our sights on the "realities of heaven".  When I hear someone say that they've set their sights on something, I take it to mean that this is their goal.  I noticed this morning that Paul didn't tell us to set our sights on "heaven".  He didn't say make it your goal to get to heaven.  He said something, I think, to be much different.  

Making our goal in this life to get to heaven kind of seems like the goal is to get out of this life "alive" and "in tact".  It seems to mean more of a destination instead of a way of life.  When Paul tells us to "set our sights on (or make our goal) the realities of heaven" I take it to mean the kind of life we will be living when we get there.  

We'll be living a totally different life in heaven than we do here on earth.  Our thoughts will be on others as much as on ourselves.  "Getting ahead" won't mean beating someone out for a position, but instead lifting others up by serving.  Work won't be something often dreaded, but something we enjoy.  Worshiping won't be about an hour or two on Sunday morning singing songs some don't like and listening to a sermon that some believe is too long.  It will be about joyful praise in the presence of the Creator and the Savior.  

These things are to come.  But they can also be enjoyed in this life as we practice them in our daily lives.  Sometimes all it takes to find happiness is an attitude change.  Other times circumstances can make our lives much more difficult.  But in those too, we can set our sights on the "realities of heaven" when circumstances will be different.  May this bring us peace and joy in times when this life does all it can to bring us down.

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 !!

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

"I will send my messenger ahead of you, 

who will prepare your way"

"a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 
      

'Prepare the way for the Lord, 
      

make straight paths for him.' "

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. – Mark 1:1-4 (TNIV)

Once upon a time a man by the name of John, who lived in the desert and devoted his life to fulfilling God's purpose for him, came to the forefront and made a proclamation.  He told the people that the Messiah was soon to be among them and that they must repent and be forgiven.  The people were the Jews, the people of God.  Were they not already among the elect?  Were they not already God's chosen people?  Why did they need to repent (change)?  

As it turns out, we're all called to be part of the elect of God.  We're all chosen to come to Him through His Son Jesus.  But we must make our paths straight for him.  This means turning from our selfish ways of living our lives, renounce our sins and seek God's ways for us.  

As Christians, this is what we proclaim.  Which leads to the question, "Are we living out the proclamation?"  How much of our lives are still selfishly lived by our own will without regards to what God would have for us?  How often do we renounce God by our actions, even if not by our words?  How often do we truly seek God's will in our lives when we know it will mean change?

John the Baptist came to show the way to the people of his time.  But his message still lives on.  Let us "Prepare the way for the Lord, (making) straight paths for him."

In the love of Christ,

 greg