So many times in life (as life changes) there are scrary times. Times when you can either run away from (or try too) the change or you can face it. When I say "face it" I don't mean alone but with the help of friends (true friends) and the presence of God's Holy Spirit. I can run but I cannot hide!
Scripture: Luke 6:47 (MSG) These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
Observation: Jesus speaks words that are the foundation for my life--or atleast should be.
Application: I read the Bible, I see the words that are printed there, but sometimes they don't touch me, or maybe I don't want to be touched. It is hard to determine the answer--it is even harder to be honest about it
Jesus speaks words of life that touch every important aspect of life and if I open my heart to them then my heart will be softened so that my life can absorb the words of life.
The result is I will be transformed into the image of God.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that my heart will be softened and that I can be honest with you and myself, so that I might be changed into what you would have me to be. I pray your will is done in my life, so that I may become like you. Thanks for loving me, Stephen
Yieldedness: I will strive to open my tough skin to the words of life.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Cast Your Net On the Right side.."
It is the first of the year and planning is just now beginging for the year and the future. It is a little scary in this economy and with so much unemployment--life has become a challenge. How do I pay my bills--do I try and keep the car I just bought--how do I make my morgage payments? These are questions that are being asked by people who never in a million years thought they would be in this situation. Churches are no different. Some have eased along even in good times and have operated off of money that had been raised in many different ways. Giving was at a minimum, but now the fund raisers are not happening like they were because those dedicated people are not there anymore and they did not replace themselves--so the funds are dewindling--so what is to be done. Well, Jesus said, "Cast your nets on the right side..." (JN 21:6) This means communication is a must. People need to know the situation and the why and the wherefores, so they can respond in the right way.
Communication is a must in these times.
Scripture : Luke 5:5 (MSG) Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."
Observation: Just had a Church Council meeting at one of the churches I serve. For the last 3 years or so they have not met their budget except by dipping into a savings account. But no one wants to talk about it, what I see though is the funds will run out some day--Then What?
Application: Jesus said to Peter (Jn 21:5-6) to go out again and cast his nets on the right side of the boat. Peter being experienced fisherman said, "if you say so."
I suppose what I am saying is that if people have the information they need to make informed decisions then they will will make good decisions. Rick Warren recently put some infomaton about a short fall in the church's budget and overwhelming amount of money came in to cover it. If people know they will respond.
Jesus said, "cast your net on the right side..." I think if we go about communicating in the right way--the church will respond.
I myself see a need to respond in my giving by an increase of 10% and that is my goal this year.
Prayer: I pray that God's Holy Spirit leads me and the churches I serve to cast our nets on the right side, so the harvest will be great in all areas. Love Stephen
Yieldedness: I will do my best to increase my giving in all areas, not just finances
Communication is a must in these times.
Scripture : Luke 5:5 (MSG) Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."
Observation: Just had a Church Council meeting at one of the churches I serve. For the last 3 years or so they have not met their budget except by dipping into a savings account. But no one wants to talk about it, what I see though is the funds will run out some day--Then What?
Application: Jesus said to Peter (Jn 21:5-6) to go out again and cast his nets on the right side of the boat. Peter being experienced fisherman said, "if you say so."
I suppose what I am saying is that if people have the information they need to make informed decisions then they will will make good decisions. Rick Warren recently put some infomaton about a short fall in the church's budget and overwhelming amount of money came in to cover it. If people know they will respond.
Jesus said, "cast your net on the right side..." I think if we go about communicating in the right way--the church will respond.
I myself see a need to respond in my giving by an increase of 10% and that is my goal this year.
Prayer: I pray that God's Holy Spirit leads me and the churches I serve to cast our nets on the right side, so the harvest will be great in all areas. Love Stephen
Yieldedness: I will do my best to increase my giving in all areas, not just finances
Saturday, January 2, 2010
I wonder!
Made your News Years resolutions by now I am sure, I am glad they are not promises--but maybe they should be promises. Maybe they should be promises or goals that are set, not high, but reachable--Change comes hard for all of us, gradual change is much easier than radical change. Oh by the way, if you happen to not live up to your New Year's resolutions don't forget grace and forgiveness. God's grace is sufficent and if God can forgive you, surely, you can forgive yourself and start brand new. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Scripture: Luke 2:50 (MSG) 50 But they had no idea what he was talking about.
Observation: So many times I look out over the sanutary at heads bobbing up and down seemingly in agreement, looking as though the message is being understood and I wonder.
Application: Here is the Mother of God and Joseph who are disturbed by the his (Jesus') behavior. Jesus seemly not concerned for the peace and well-being of his earthly parents. He is doing his Father's work--but they don't understand--I again wonder.
The angels have come to Mary and Joseph and announced of this special person they would raise and give the name Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us), but here they don't understand and I wonder.
Maybe while in the sanctuary, with the symbols, the hymns, the prayers, the elements--maybe there is an understanding in that place but away from that place and that moment thoughts and actions sometimes change, I wonder.
Prayer: I pray this year that the moments shared in the sanctuary will be carried to the outside and lived in life. Thank you Lord for saving me, Stephen
Yieldedness: I will seek this year a better understanding than my own, so that I may know what he (Jesus) is talking about.
Scripture: Luke 2:50 (MSG) 50 But they had no idea what he was talking about.
Observation: So many times I look out over the sanutary at heads bobbing up and down seemingly in agreement, looking as though the message is being understood and I wonder.
Application: Here is the Mother of God and Joseph who are disturbed by the his (Jesus') behavior. Jesus seemly not concerned for the peace and well-being of his earthly parents. He is doing his Father's work--but they don't understand--I again wonder.
The angels have come to Mary and Joseph and announced of this special person they would raise and give the name Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us), but here they don't understand and I wonder.
Maybe while in the sanctuary, with the symbols, the hymns, the prayers, the elements--maybe there is an understanding in that place but away from that place and that moment thoughts and actions sometimes change, I wonder.
Prayer: I pray this year that the moments shared in the sanctuary will be carried to the outside and lived in life. Thank you Lord for saving me, Stephen
Yieldedness: I will seek this year a better understanding than my own, so that I may know what he (Jesus) is talking about.
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