Good Morning,
Psalm 119:93 (New International Version)
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
So, I read this verse and decided to explore what, exactly, "precepts" are. I mean, I wanted to know what David was talking about, you know? So, here's the Webster's definition...
precept n . 1. a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. 2. an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim. 3. a direction for performing a technical operation. 4. Law. a written order issued pursuant to law.
Now this verse makes more sense to me, after reading what precept means.
"...for by them (God's commandments, directions, rules of action and conduct; His injunctions to moral conduct; His laws written by those to whom He gave them) you have preserved my life."
I guess we can see how God intervened and protected David those thousands of years ago so He could use him to send along to all people the Psalms we so much love and learn from. But, more than that, I think that because of God's precepts, more than just physical life was preserved for David and, therefore, us as well.
Yes, of course, we want our physical lives preserved and lengthened so we can do God's work...that which He gives us in order that we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation. But, we should also want more than just quantity of life in service to God, we should also desire the QUALITY of that life to be great, also. That's what I read here today. I read that if we do NOT forget God's precepts, which He has diligently set down in the Bible for us, then our lives will have been preserved...both the length of our lives and the quality of our lives.
However, it is up to us to remember what God has had written for us in the way of His precepts. That, for us, is the hard part because so often our human desires and personal pleasures sort of get in the way and we tend to put aside what God has told us, set down for us. You see, WE have the responsibility to make the decision to live by what we read in the Bible and to follow and remember God's precepts.
He's done His part. We have to do ours.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Seasoned With Salt
Good Morning,
Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)
...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
It struck me as I read the verse we all know from Colossians that, too often, many of us do NOT present our reasons for hope, our knowledge of God, and our relationship with Jesus Christ with what Paul called "seasoned with salt." Yes, a lot of us know the Bible and can quote Scripture "chapter and verse" about the Good News of God's plan of salvation. We know what God has told us about all of this. However, we don't present what we know with personal and anecdotal speech when we DO talk about God. I guess we expect people to believe what the Bible says simply because, well, it says what it does and WE believe it.
I think that we need to pay closer attention to what both Paul and Peter wrote for us to understand about witnessing and doing what we can to present the Gospel message.
Peter reminds us that we need to be able to give the reason for our optimistic hope about the fact of our salvation through our knowledge of, and relationship to, Jesus Christ. He tells us that we ought to do this with "gentleness and respect" and I would add that we also need to remember that those to whom we speak do NOT have the understanding we do of the Bible nor do many of them even believe what is written IN the Bible. So we don't need to be quoting verse after verse of Scripture to someone who is skeptical ABOUT that Scripture. Paul says that we need to "season" our conversations with "salt" and that, like Peter, we need to know how to answer the questions that come.
The salt we need is our own personal experiences about what God has done in our lives. Think about it for a minute here: Food without salt is bland and simply does not taste all that good. It's the same with our conversations. Simply giving Biblical facts without telling of our own encounters and observations of God in our life is, well, it's pretty bland and doesn't ring with the truth of a life lived with Jesus.
We really need to understand more fully and be ready to speak more boldly about what it is God wants us to say when we encounter those who do NOT know Him. Our conversations have to be personal and "seasoned" with our own experiences. We DO, of course, have to know the basics of what the Bible tells us about the Gospel message...I think that does go without saying, because that is how we can do more to explain the hope and security we have in Jesus Christ. Then, as Peter points out clearly, our conversations also have to be taken on with true gentleness toward the one we are speaking to and with respect for that person in every way.
In other words, our conversations need to be done with true love for the ones to whom we speak. If we do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)
...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
It struck me as I read the verse we all know from Colossians that, too often, many of us do NOT present our reasons for hope, our knowledge of God, and our relationship with Jesus Christ with what Paul called "seasoned with salt." Yes, a lot of us know the Bible and can quote Scripture "chapter and verse" about the Good News of God's plan of salvation. We know what God has told us about all of this. However, we don't present what we know with personal and anecdotal speech when we DO talk about God. I guess we expect people to believe what the Bible says simply because, well, it says what it does and WE believe it.
I think that we need to pay closer attention to what both Paul and Peter wrote for us to understand about witnessing and doing what we can to present the Gospel message.
Peter reminds us that we need to be able to give the reason for our optimistic hope about the fact of our salvation through our knowledge of, and relationship to, Jesus Christ. He tells us that we ought to do this with "gentleness and respect" and I would add that we also need to remember that those to whom we speak do NOT have the understanding we do of the Bible nor do many of them even believe what is written IN the Bible. So we don't need to be quoting verse after verse of Scripture to someone who is skeptical ABOUT that Scripture. Paul says that we need to "season" our conversations with "salt" and that, like Peter, we need to know how to answer the questions that come.
The salt we need is our own personal experiences about what God has done in our lives. Think about it for a minute here: Food without salt is bland and simply does not taste all that good. It's the same with our conversations. Simply giving Biblical facts without telling of our own encounters and observations of God in our life is, well, it's pretty bland and doesn't ring with the truth of a life lived with Jesus.
We really need to understand more fully and be ready to speak more boldly about what it is God wants us to say when we encounter those who do NOT know Him. Our conversations have to be personal and "seasoned" with our own experiences. We DO, of course, have to know the basics of what the Bible tells us about the Gospel message...I think that does go without saying, because that is how we can do more to explain the hope and security we have in Jesus Christ. Then, as Peter points out clearly, our conversations also have to be taken on with true gentleness toward the one we are speaking to and with respect for that person in every way.
In other words, our conversations need to be done with true love for the ones to whom we speak. If we do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Ashamed?
Good Morning,
Romans 1:16 (New International Version)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
A reminder to us all, today, that NOT mentioning God's plan of salvation when speaking to someone who obviously has NOT accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, is tantamount to us actually BEING ashamed of the Gospel message. At least, that is what spoke to me this morning when I read this verse of Scripture.
If I am not ashamed, as I'm told I ought NOT to be in this verse, then why in the world would I be averse to speaking?
I think it's something we all need to think about and pray about. For all the reasons that we DON'T speak up boldly about the Gospel message, THIS is something that should never be a reason.
Just a short note today because I think each of us needs to examine our reasoning and ask God for help and guidance to NEVER be even remotely "ashamed" or "embarrassed" about speaking up to people and telling them about Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sin.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Romans 1:16 (New International Version)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
A reminder to us all, today, that NOT mentioning God's plan of salvation when speaking to someone who obviously has NOT accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, is tantamount to us actually BEING ashamed of the Gospel message. At least, that is what spoke to me this morning when I read this verse of Scripture.
If I am not ashamed, as I'm told I ought NOT to be in this verse, then why in the world would I be averse to speaking?
I think it's something we all need to think about and pray about. For all the reasons that we DON'T speak up boldly about the Gospel message, THIS is something that should never be a reason.
Just a short note today because I think each of us needs to examine our reasoning and ask God for help and guidance to NEVER be even remotely "ashamed" or "embarrassed" about speaking up to people and telling them about Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sin.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Sunday, July 11, 2010
All He Has Done
Good Morning,
Psalm 92:4 (New Living Translation)
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (New Living Translation)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Something that very often thrills me is when God sends along verses of Scripture for me to read and contemplate and, then, sends along something else...even days or weeks later...that brings the FIRST verse or section of Scripture into even more meaning and clarity to me. Such is the case today and it pleases me greatly.
I read the verse from Psalms and thought about all the good that God has done in my life, the lives of my family, the lives of my friends, and then, in the lives of ALL Christian believers. This verse of Scripture should make us all shout with joy, if for no other reason than the fact of Jesus Christ coming to this earth for the express purpose of our salvation and the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. Of course, there is much, much more that we have to be grateful for and to give thanks for it goes without saying. This verse we read ought to cause every one of us to "sing for joy" because of all the works of God in our lives. I would imagine that there have been uncounted numbers of messages written and sermons preached on this one short, meaningful verse.
But then, as God so often does, the verse from Philippians comes to us to give us even MORE of a reason to be thankful and grateful for God's workings in our lives. Here we find that, no matter how many marvelous things God has already done in our lives, we read that He isn't done with us yet. We read here that He "will continue His work until it is finally finished" in every one of us. So, just how joyful should we be, do you think?
Finally, God sends us something that is difficult for us to truly understand or comprehend. In Ephesians we read that God goes even further in what He can and will do in our lives. First, He has done many, many wonderful things in our lives. Next, He continues to work in, on, and for us. Finally, we read in Ephesians that He is able to do MORE in our lives; to help us "accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" as we walk on this earth.
Yes, I truly DO love it when God points out Scripture that not only helps to guide and direct us, but also shows us the glory only He can bring in our lives.
For that, my friends, I am, and will be, eternally grateful.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Psalm 92:4 (New Living Translation)
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (New Living Translation)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Something that very often thrills me is when God sends along verses of Scripture for me to read and contemplate and, then, sends along something else...even days or weeks later...that brings the FIRST verse or section of Scripture into even more meaning and clarity to me. Such is the case today and it pleases me greatly.
I read the verse from Psalms and thought about all the good that God has done in my life, the lives of my family, the lives of my friends, and then, in the lives of ALL Christian believers. This verse of Scripture should make us all shout with joy, if for no other reason than the fact of Jesus Christ coming to this earth for the express purpose of our salvation and the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. Of course, there is much, much more that we have to be grateful for and to give thanks for it goes without saying. This verse we read ought to cause every one of us to "sing for joy" because of all the works of God in our lives. I would imagine that there have been uncounted numbers of messages written and sermons preached on this one short, meaningful verse.
But then, as God so often does, the verse from Philippians comes to us to give us even MORE of a reason to be thankful and grateful for God's workings in our lives. Here we find that, no matter how many marvelous things God has already done in our lives, we read that He isn't done with us yet. We read here that He "will continue His work until it is finally finished" in every one of us. So, just how joyful should we be, do you think?
Finally, God sends us something that is difficult for us to truly understand or comprehend. In Ephesians we read that God goes even further in what He can and will do in our lives. First, He has done many, many wonderful things in our lives. Next, He continues to work in, on, and for us. Finally, we read in Ephesians that He is able to do MORE in our lives; to help us "accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" as we walk on this earth.
Yes, I truly DO love it when God points out Scripture that not only helps to guide and direct us, but also shows us the glory only He can bring in our lives.
For that, my friends, I am, and will be, eternally grateful.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Small Group
Good Morning,
Mark 2:1-4 (New International Version)
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
The verse that came to me today was verse 3, "Some men came, bringing Him a paralytic, carried by four of them." The first thought that entered my mind was, "If I was in such need, where would the four friends to help me come from?" Then I thought, "Do I even HAVE four friends who care enough for me who WOULD help me at a time like this?" Sobering thoughts, aren't they? Now, I would hope that all who read these words would have friends that come to help in time of need, but that isn't always the case I'm afraid. Read the following, please, about yet another reason for a strong and supportive Small Group.
By: Greg Aitkens
A few years ago, a look at the small group I'm a part of would have revealed a man who was recently divorced and unemployed, another who was underemployed and looking for work, and still another with a very challenging work environment who's wife had recently come through a very serious surgery.
We all encounter trials, tough times, periods of desolation. In gatherings such as a our small group, we can exhibit compassion, empathy and concern for the lives of friends and family members. We can pray, fast and intercede on their behalf. We can do our best to encourage them and walk with them in their most crucial times of need.
We can help others to locate new employment, suggest helpful scriptures or books, or just call them a few times during the week to check in. It is also important to encourage others to "talk it out" and share about their anxieties and fears. Nothing can replace the knowledge that we are supported by others during our toughest times.
As the old song says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." Let us exhibit that sweet love and compassion to our brothers and sisters who need it.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Do you reach out to your brothers and sisters when you know they are going through a challenging time?
There are so very many reasons to belong to such a group as the one we read of today, but in my humble opinion the reason that is at, or at least very close to, the top of the list is that we can offer support when times are difficult. So, that brings us to this present day. My friends, times ARE difficult. They might be OK for you, but for the rest of humanity? Not so much, as folks are wont to say today.
It would be ludicrous and redundant to go over all the wrongs and trials that exist in our local communities, cities, states, countries, and throughout the world. Many more educated than I have done this already and really, all we have to do is to simply take a good, hard look around to see it all. That brings us back to the reason today's message has come our way: The Small Group. That group of Christian believers who meet regularly together and can be that extremely important tool to help us through these times.
That's all. I don't think we need to go over and over and over all the reasons for Small Groups. The question still remains, however: Do you...I...all of us, belong to such a group? If not, then why not? It's not just a nice thing, I think it's necessary. That, I suppose, brings us to the next and last point: If I do NOT belong to a small group and don't see one around me, what keeps me from STARTING a group in my home? The answer is probably NOTHING keeps me from doing this.
Please, think about it, OK?
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Mark 2:1-4 (New International Version)
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
The verse that came to me today was verse 3, "Some men came, bringing Him a paralytic, carried by four of them." The first thought that entered my mind was, "If I was in such need, where would the four friends to help me come from?" Then I thought, "Do I even HAVE four friends who care enough for me who WOULD help me at a time like this?" Sobering thoughts, aren't they? Now, I would hope that all who read these words would have friends that come to help in time of need, but that isn't always the case I'm afraid. Read the following, please, about yet another reason for a strong and supportive Small Group.
By: Greg Aitkens
A few years ago, a look at the small group I'm a part of would have revealed a man who was recently divorced and unemployed, another who was underemployed and looking for work, and still another with a very challenging work environment who's wife had recently come through a very serious surgery.
We all encounter trials, tough times, periods of desolation. In gatherings such as a our small group, we can exhibit compassion, empathy and concern for the lives of friends and family members. We can pray, fast and intercede on their behalf. We can do our best to encourage them and walk with them in their most crucial times of need.
We can help others to locate new employment, suggest helpful scriptures or books, or just call them a few times during the week to check in. It is also important to encourage others to "talk it out" and share about their anxieties and fears. Nothing can replace the knowledge that we are supported by others during our toughest times.
As the old song says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." Let us exhibit that sweet love and compassion to our brothers and sisters who need it.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Do you reach out to your brothers and sisters when you know they are going through a challenging time?
There are so very many reasons to belong to such a group as the one we read of today, but in my humble opinion the reason that is at, or at least very close to, the top of the list is that we can offer support when times are difficult. So, that brings us to this present day. My friends, times ARE difficult. They might be OK for you, but for the rest of humanity? Not so much, as folks are wont to say today.
It would be ludicrous and redundant to go over all the wrongs and trials that exist in our local communities, cities, states, countries, and throughout the world. Many more educated than I have done this already and really, all we have to do is to simply take a good, hard look around to see it all. That brings us back to the reason today's message has come our way: The Small Group. That group of Christian believers who meet regularly together and can be that extremely important tool to help us through these times.
That's all. I don't think we need to go over and over and over all the reasons for Small Groups. The question still remains, however: Do you...I...all of us, belong to such a group? If not, then why not? It's not just a nice thing, I think it's necessary. That, I suppose, brings us to the next and last point: If I do NOT belong to a small group and don't see one around me, what keeps me from STARTING a group in my home? The answer is probably NOTHING keeps me from doing this.
Please, think about it, OK?
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
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