Monday, June 25, 2012

Monday ~ June 25, 2012

Who are you?


Matthew 15:7-9 (King James Version)
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men

there are so many in todays time,in their christian walk,who "talk the talk",but they dont "walk the walk".and whats even worse,they "teach"how to serve our loving and gracious Lord.im not trying to be or sound condecending or judgemental,but just making a personal observation,one that was obviously witnessed by Esaias."this people",as Esaias referred to them,are the ones usally directing and pointing out "malfunctions"in OUR christian walk.'you cant do this",or "you cant do that",in a spiritual sense.and the majority of the time,their explanation IS NOT biblical instruction,but mans doctrines.what someone thought should be,but is in fact, not of the doctrine of Christ.the birth,life,and death,and ressurection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,IS the doctrine of Christ.He is the living word.His teachings and instructions are doctrine,to say,the bible.

many today are so caught up in so many diverse explanations and translations,that they have completely lost sight of the simplicity in worshipping our Lord.His word is written,a "letter" to you.all you need is to read it,study it,pray the Holy Spirit for understanding and clarity,BEFORE you study or read.if something stumbles you,LOOK IT UP!if something is not clear in comprehension,LOOK IT UP!pray,if the answer is not clear,put it to the side for the time being,and come back.Father will reveal to you His word,in the time He knows is prevalent in your life.He is fair and just,and He is all knowing,trust His word,trust His judgement,trust His timing,and make that trust,your faith.simple?yes,if you have sincerity of heart,instilled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit,to trust the words of Christ,and live according to those instructions,and not mans.
that should have been the conviction in your heart,when you came to the cross,and recieved Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.as we all live and execute our daily rituals of existence,make His word the very center of the motivation that rolls you out of the bed in the mornings,"im gonna do it Gods way today!"try this,wont you friends?plan your day,doing it all,Gods way.your tools are self-applied;understanding,compassion,forbearence,meekness,strength of belief,faith, and love.Love being the foremost.and all else will follow.
i pray all have a very fullfilling spiritual day,honor Him with your lips,and serve Him with your actions,by His instructions,in His precious name,amen.God bless you all!:)



David"Mike"Franklin
founder of Preaching Jesus Christ ministry ordained independent minister and member of the National Association Of Cristian Ministers
ordained independent minister of the Church of Living Water Discipleship SchooL
55 years old
re-born and forgiven,recieving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior march 23 1986
the man i was,did not know Jesus Christ,and the devil resided in my heart daily.addictions,violence,drunkeness,lust,and pride.when Jesus Christ came into my heart and life,this man changed.
i knew love,and i knew how to love,putting myself and my needs last,and the needs and assistence of others first.this is what Jesus Christ taught me,and that is what Jesus Christ made me,amen.
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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Thursday ~ June 21, 2012


9 Out of 10 People Say What?

Did you check out the AOL survey last week? If not, you missed a pretty interesting set of statistics:

What is the key to getting into heaven?

  • Living a good life. 65.5%
  • Having connections to someone at the top. 26.7%
  • Helping old ladies cross the street. 2.7%
  • Slipping St. Peter $20.00. 1.9%
  • Having a strong letter of reference. 0.5%
  • Making a deal with the devil. 1.2%
  • Telling a really good lie. 0.5%
Total votes 121,836

Are you going to heaven?

  • Yes. 89.8%
  • No. 10.2%
Total votes 143,309
(Source: www.aol.com)
Most of the answers didn't surprise me, but did you notice how many more people responded to the second question (are you going to heaven?) as opposed to the first? 21,473 more folks opted to answer that simple question as opposed to taking time to think about the first one.
Apparently, nearly 9 out of 10 people believe they are going to heaven, but many of them don't know and/or don't care why.
I believe Satan's goal is to take as many people as possible into hell with him. To do so, he doesn't need to get anyone to convert to Satanism; he only needs to slightly distort the truth. This survey is a case in point: in one fell swoop he has 90% of Americans feeling good about themselves while at the same time are destined for eternal separation from God.
If these figures aren't a wake-up call to our responsibility to share the good news of Jesus, I don't know what would be. The devil has this country convinced that the 'do good gospel' gets them into heaven, and we are the only ones who can help them remove the blinders and see the Light of the world.
My suggestion would be to do a little survey in your corner of the world. Perhaps use this one, or make up new questions. The point is: get people talking about their perspective on heaven/hell. My guess is that most people you talk to will end up responding similar to the survey: i.e. good works get me into heaven. Here are a few verses you can use as discussion points:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
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 (Titus 3:5)
There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. (Acts 4:12)
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
Evidently, God's survey would come out very different: one out of every one goes to hell without Christ!

Questions:

  1. Why do so many people believe they are going to heaven?
  2. How do these verses help you in your Christian life?
  3. Would you be willing to do a survey in your school/neighborhood? Why or why not?
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wednesday ~ June 20, 2012



Elisha

2 Kings 3:14-25

The morning glow

When King Ahab of Israel died, the king of Moab rebelled against Ahab’s son Joram, the new king.

King Joram was being threatened, so he together with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, went to see Elisha the prophet. Elisha told him; “Dig ditches all over the valley, and even though you will not see any rain, the valley will be filled with water for you and your animals to drink.”

When the Moabites heard that the three kings had come to fight against them, they got up early the next morning to prepare for battle. As the sun was rising, the pools of water looked red in the morning light and the Moabites thought it was blood. “The kings must have fought against each other,” they said. “Let’s go and raid their camp!” So they did; but the armies of the three kings defeated the Moabites and then destroyed their fields and towns.

How should I deal with nasty comments?

Are you being attacked with nasty comments that make you feel embarrassed, worthless and unwanted?

If God could use the glow of the morning sun to give the Israelites victory against attacks, He can shine His love into your situation too! If other kids are trying to make you miserable, the Lord can change your situation as He did for the Israelites. Pray until you feel the warmth of Jesus’ love shine into your life and bring healing to your hurting heart.

Jesus is the best friend anybody could wish for. He will never leave you, no matter what! Remember that Jesus made you special and that is what you are. So enjoy being the person you were made to be!

Verse for today

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Malachi 4:2
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday ~ June 19, 2012


Icy Roads

by: Jake Tripps



"If you would have given me good directions," I snapped at my fiancee. We weren't lost, but we had definitely taken a detour trying to get to our destination. And now that we were nearly there, we once again missed our turn. 

I really wasn't being fair to her, since we had both had a very stressful weekend driving over 600 miles to visit family in two states, and neither one of us getting much sleep. But regardless, we had been arguing all morning on and off, up to that very point. For at the moment I said that, we hit ice.

I remember so very clearly my thoughts as we pinballed off the curb and headed towards another car, "Lord, please stop the car." What must have been just a few seconds seemed like forever as I watched our vehicle glide uncontrolled towards the other. Praying and braking I was still not sure we would avoid an accident... but finally, we stopped about an inch from the other car's bumper.

The more and more I thought about the near accident, the more and more I realized that it wasn't just the car that needed to be stopped, it was also my attitude towards my fiancee. Instead of patiently working with her to find the place, I started taking things on myself, feeling that I could do it alone (Matthew 23:12). And it was when I took the detour back to our location that we hit ice, and things went from bad to worse.

I think this is something that we all do, not only with driving. We start to feel frustrated or angry at someone, or something, and when difficult situations arise we often isolate ourselves and try to take charge; instead of silencing ourselves and taking a moment to pray. So often, we forget that we have an Almighty, loving God who is just waiting for us to call on Him. So often we forget that we will never have absolute control over our lives, but that God is always in control. And so often, it takes a patch of ice, complete inability, for us to realize this.

Today what things are you stumbling with? What things in your life are frustrating you, angering you, and scaring you? No matter what your burdens, we have a God who loves us so much that He is willing to take away your burdens (Isaiah 40:28-31), forgive your wrong doings (1 John 1:9), and deliver you from the pain and suffering you are in (Psalm 91:1-16). And all we need to do is stop, and pray. And God has promised us, that in His perfect timing, He will deliver us, for nothing can separate us from God's promises, nor His love (Romans 8:38-39).
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Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday ~ June 18, 2012

Guest Blogger Monday

Betsy Speer

When I think about God and how big He is, I start to feel pretty insignificant. I mean, who am I? I'm just trying to do the best I can in my small corner of the world.Who is He? The creator of Earth, of time, the one in control of my life and everyone else in the World. I am absolutely nothing in comparison to His majesty.

But then I think about the signficance of each person in my life, and it isn't small at all. The love I have for my husband isn't insignificant. The love I have for my daughter surpasses all of my notions I had about love in the past. My parents, my in-laws, my siblings, my friends, my Life Group...I love them all in a tremendously powerful way. Nothing about any of their lives seem small to me. 

Think about the amount of ceremonies that are held in a person's life: a dedication,a baptism, a confirmation, a first communion, high school graduation, college graduation, a wedding, and ultimately, a funeral. When I think about the amount of time and money spent on each life event in combination with the amount of love I feel for everyone in my life, I realize there's really nothing small about our lives.

In the Old Testament, it says, " For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession," Deuteronomy 7:6. So not only are you significant, you are an absolute treasure to God. Now, there's nothing insignficant in that. 

Which leads us to a very big responsibility.

We are accountable for every decision we make, and for every interaction we have in a day. Do you bring people close to God, or do you separate them from God? There's nothing small about this very big responsibility and duty that God has bestowed upon us.

Here's what I know: "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23. I have made a commitment to God to be confident so that His goodness can shine through me. Are you with me?


Betsy and her husband, Jeremy, along with their daughter Isabelle reside in Northern Michigan. They are very active in their local church. Betsy is a teacher at a local school. Her and Jeremy also run a Life Group through their local church.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday ~ June 15, 2012


Sowing in Tears



Sometimes we sit here, either caught up, or unconcerned with life. We establish routines and build expectations. We construct dreams, decide on aspirations...and then, life changes.

Suddenly this concrete world isn't so solid anymore, this constant, fluid existence dries up, and we are left discombobulated.

Earlier this year, a young couple lost their seven year old son tragically. In the aftermath of an accident, the child took his last breath in his father's arms, as his mother looked on- and passers by refused to stop to help.

At the funeral, it seemed the mother had not stopped crying since the tragedy. She wailed with her heart and soul, cries so deep they cut like a knife.

It's sad that the heart is permanently scarred by hurt and pain, yet joy and exhilaration's pencil marks fade ever so rapidly. We are able to cry for hours, weeks or even years...about the same thing...but laughter is that fleeting memory that comes back to us only in quiet moments.

That same couple committed their lives to Christ, in the very same church where just two months prior, they had held a funeral service for their only son.

In those moments when you have just gotten some bad news, and you begin to wonder "How could God have let this happen," cry just a little more. Because right now, in this moment, you are where your Lord wants you to be, in His care. And from all those tears sown, you shall reap with joyful shouting, because God can turn anything, no matter how bad, into good (Romans 8:28).
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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thursday ~ June 14, 2012


Hating God by Hating Others?



We all have people that we need to forgive. It is impossible not to, simply because everyday we find reasons to hold grudges. Reasons to be be angry at our family, friends, co-workers, and even that guy who honked at you all the way to work. And if we are not careful, these feelings of anger can grow, and take over our hearts. Soon we aren't only angry, but we want them to pay for their actions. We want revenge.


I think one of the best examples of this is People's Court. If you have ever watched it, I am sure you have seen someone who is only there to ruin the other person's reputation. They bring out allegations that are completely irrelevant to the case, trying to make the person look bad, and trying to ruin them for what they have done. Instead of justice, they focus only on revenge, what they feel the other person deserves.


One woman summed it up quite nicely, after a nasty law-suit with her "ex-friend," by saying, "No. She doesn't deserve my friendship... she doesn't deserve my love." So many times life-long friends allow themselves to be separated; not over the $300 lawsuit, but by their feelings of anger and hatred.


Some of these very same people also claim to be proud Christians, and yet they have forgotten that we don't deserve God's love. Just like their friend turned his/her back on them, we have turned our backs on God... many, many, many times. We have allowed our sins to separate us from God, and only by His mercy and His grace were we brought back to Him.


Just as God has forgiven us, He tells us we need to forgive others. He tells us that we have no right to hate others, because He does not hate us (and we have committed far worse crimes against Him, than they have against us). He says that no matter what their debt to us is, our debt to Him is greater, and yet He has forgiven us (Matthew 18:21-35).


As Christians we can not let our anger get the better of us, nor can we allow it to grow to hate. We cannot be like the unmerciful servant who refused to forgive his debtors, even though his debt was forgiven. We cannot hate our brother, and claim to love God, because God is Love (1 John 4:16). He tells us that if we love Him, we will obey His commands, and He commands us to love each other (Leviticus 19:18).
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wednesday ~ June 13, 2012


Be Peculiar?




Peculiar is, well a peculiar way for God to want us to be... The word itself means to be unusual, eccentric, and odd. But being peculiar also has another meaning; belonging distinctively, exclusively to one person- being special and unique.

Yet, today many Christians are trying to do the exact opposite. Instead of trying to be "odd," they are struggling to fit in with a world that is quickly moving away from God's commandments. Instead of wanting to stand out, many of us are trying to blend in and go unnoticed. Honestly, I believe it is when we try to blend in, that we actually start losing who we are, and who our creator is.

Like a strawberry, each of us is unique, filled with seeds and hope. Each of us has been created for a specific reason (Jeremiah 1:5), and in a special way (Psalm 139:14). But as soon as we blend a strawberry with other types of food, the uniqueness of the strawberry becomes lost, and it's flavor unidentifiable in the midst of everything else. Perhaps even more importantly, the seeds of the strawberry become fruitless, being devoured in the mix instead of springing forth new plants.

Christ used another example when talking about loss of flavor in ones life. He compared our lives to that of salt, a substance that provides life. As Christians we are the source of life for those who do not know Christ. (Matthew 5:13-16) As Christians, we are the example of Christ here on earth today. But if we allow ourselves to become blended in such a way that we are unable to share the Gospel or proclaim the good news; if we sacrifice our values to fit in and lose our saltiness, what good are we?

God calls us to be a peculiar people, a people who others can identify as His. A people that the unsaved will look at with wonder, asking themselves what makes us so different, so unique, and so special.

Today, what will you do with the saltiness God has given you? What will you do with your seeds of life, the knowledge of the Gospel? Will you let others know that you are peculiar, or will you give up what makes you special to blend in seamlessly?
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday ~ June 12, 2012


What Can I Do




Today I turned on the news to hear story after story about how people are dying tragically; to hear about robberies, to hear about starvation and genocide. It seems everywhere you look the world is full of pain and suffering... even in one of the richest nations people lie on the streets homeless and hungry.

I remember reading an online chat, where people were discussing these very same issues. They talked about the genocide in Darfur, global warming, and the poverty around the world. As I read this emotion filled conversation, there was one comment that really stuck out. In response to all of the commotion and the call for action, this person asked on of today's most popular questions, "What can I do? I am only one person."

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Have you ever had an assignment, or a task that seemed so daunting you weren't sure you could handle it? Have you ever seen something horrible on the news or on TV, and asked yourself what you could do by yourself?

The answer to that question, of course, is nothing! In this world of 6 billion people, you cannot do anything by yourself! In this world of 6 billion people, your efforts would probably look like a fly on the wall- and have the same impact!

When the crowd had come to see Jesus, this crowd of 5,000 people, Jesus first asked His disciples where to buy bread. Philip replied, saying that it would be impossible to feed everyone for 200 denarii (the equivalent of 200 days of work). Then Jesus told His disciples to collect food from the people in the crowd, and Andrew returned only with a boy's lunch... 5 small loaves of bread, and two small fish. And as Andrew brought the meal to Jesus, he asked Him, "What are they for so many..." what good can this one meal do for this crowd of 5,000 (John 6:5-9).

With this small lunch, the lunch prepared for a boy, Jesus fed the entire crowd. He didn't give them bread crumbs, but instead passed baskets of food around; so much that after this huge crowd had eaten, there were left-overs. Jesus blessed the bread, and made it more than it originally was. He blessed the bread, and made something small and insignificant have a great impact on the masses.

Here we are in a world full of torment, pain, and suffering. We stand here alone, as if a small boys lunch among a great crowd. And we ask ourselves, what can we do... because we know by ourselves we could not do anything- just as a small boys lunch by itself would not have fed the crowd.

But just like the bread, Jesus blesses our lives, and makes us more than we originally were. He changes us from a small boy's lunch to a great buffet, so that His glory and majesty might be seen through us.

Today look around at the world we live in, and instead of asking "What can I do," ask yourself "What Can't I do with Jesus."
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Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday ~ June 11, 2012




5     Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
 And lean not on your own understanding;
6    In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Who do we trust in? Do we trust in ourselves, our family, our economic system, our church or our Lord? The word Trust in Hebrew originally was lying helplessly face downwards. I don’t know about you but lying face down unable to see what’s going on around would make me feel very uneasy. I like to be in control but God wants us to trust him totally & give ourselves over to him.

Here in Ireland many know who Jesus was but do not realise that they can know & trust him. You know other people can let us down but God will never do that. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

We can not only trust God but have a personal relationship with him through Jesus. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV) We need to do this with our whole heart, no holding back as He did not hold back anything of his Love for us when he died for us.

I have been through a difficult time over the past number of weeks seeking the Lord as to what he wants of me with my ministry. I have learnt not to lean on my own understanding, God knows his plans. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) Just in the past few weeks God has brought us into a new exciting phase of service. He has intervened in an amazing way and led me into a new faith based ministry in Ireland. This now involves the support of a team and a senior pastor that God has given the same heart & vision for the lost in the area I was working in.

Last week we had our first outreach meeting with 33 people turning up. Sixteen of those were from the local church but the rest were visitors. That night, God showed His encouragement and faithfulness with four people giving their lives to Jesus. This week we wait in expectation! I do not know what is around the corner or where the Lord will bring us but I do know that he is in control. It is because God is in control that we must be prepared to trust him totally in all aspects of our lives, in our health, in our finances but most of all let God do what he does best and that is lead us. We are like sheep we work best if we are led! I know at times we like to feel in control but if we hold onto areas of our lives without giving them over to God, then we will mess up! When we do who do we call upon?

In all our ways acknowledge Him. The children of Israel acknowledge him, And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them. Exodus 2:25 they were also disobedient many times. That is why the Lord had them wondering about in the desert for 40 years, that’s why they were led into captivity because of their disobedience. If we go against God where do we find ourselves?

There is no better place that in the Lord’s perfect will. I am a Christian 34 years and went off & did things that I wanted to do, found excitement in the world but I had to take stock 13 years ago when I was critically ill. I had to acknowledge that I was not following the path that God had laid out for me. I was not being true to myself & to the Lord. Where do you find yourself today? Are you struggling? I realised back then that it was far better to be in the Lords will than to be struggling alone. I acknowledged God’s perfect will for my life and gave myself over to Him. The next day I met my beautiful wife who nursed me after surgery, a child of the lord too. I thank the lord for taking seriously ill as it led to me meeting Noreen, we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in 2011 and have a son.

Acknowledge Gods lead in your life, submit to him and see where he leads you. In doing this God will direct your path & lead the way in everything you do in life. Trust and acknowledge him! Let God be in control. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) God will ask a lot of us but it is nothing in comparison with what Jesus did for us. He told Peter, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now;” John 13:36 Jesus told us the path would be difficult. God will direct us and show us what he asks of us, he will direct us through his word & speak to our hearts.

The path is not easy but our heavenly shepherd will direct us. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7: 13-14 (NKJV) My prayer for each one of us is from the psalms; Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 (NKJV) Let that be your heartfelt prayer also!

Pastor Tony Meehan, Falls community Fellowship Belfast, Northern Ireland. www.sermon.net/tonymeehan
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Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday ~ June 8, 2012


The Greatest Treasure




It is widely believed that some beautiful things are only as valuable as what they are made of.

Gold plated items seem to shine even brighter than the 'real McCoy', even if only for a time... and ironically, solid gold will also fade, unless it is maintained and polished.

How many times do we find that the things of the world are somehow more alluring?

The difference is: the real thing, the solid gold - is forever, and with some elbow grease, it will shine everlastingly.

Our God is solid. He outlasts gold plating and even precious metals. He radiates even more beauty and gives even more joy than any earthly thing. But achieving that shine means we must do our part.

Today as we reflect, let us consider ways that we can polish our greatest treasure of all: An amazing, loving God.
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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Thursday ~ June 7, 2012


Salty is Good...




I have to admit, I have an addiction to salty food. Salt is such an amazing mineral... Just think of all the things we use salt for today; to make our food taste better, to soften water, to melt snow, caring for animals (such as livestock or deer), and even processing wood and preservation. In fact, there are over 14,000 known uses for salt!

AND without salt, there couldn't be any type of animal life (including Humans). That is what this verse is saying Healthy Christians are like! Healthy Christians are "the salt of the earth," and are not only useful, they are ESSENTIAL for life, essential to help others know God and receive that amazing gift of salvation.

However, just like salt; if we lose that "salt," or that spark, that desire to serve God; or if we allow ourselves to do something to destroy our testimony; we take away our usefulness. And in this world, when people see a "Christian Hypocrite" they are quick to trample them down, and make sure they stay down...

I remember a national news story about a Pastor in Florida. This Pastor had a healthy church, a growing church, and preached the message over radio and TV. He appeared to be the perfect role model, the perfect leader as he brought hundreds to Christ. Things were going great for him, until Police knocked on his door and placed him under arrest for the murder of one of his members.

It turns out this "role model" was having an affair with a church member's wife... and when the church member threatened to bring this to the attention of the church, the Pastor wasn't willing to lose what he had accomplished.

Here was a Christian who had lost his saltiness a long time ago. One who took for granted the work of God and made it his own works. One who didn't listen to the very things he preached, and who was more concerned about his own pleasures and desires than Gods.

Now this is an extreme example, but what do you think his church thought? What do you think the newly saved Christians thought after seeing this "Priest of God" on national TV for adultery and murder? Because of his actions, he became someone who lost value, someone who people would no longer listen to. Instead, he became a tool of the world, giving them the excuse to say, "Well look at what Christians do..."

As a Christian it is extremely important to maintain your testimony; your usefulness to God... your Saltiness. Do not let anything take away your spirit and desire to serve God, and do not let yourself fall to sin. Do not become someone that the world can call a hypocrite, but instead hold yourself up as a beacon, and as I said yesterday... be someone who can proudly tell others, "Do As I Do."
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wednesday ~ June 6, 2012


Jumping to Conclusions




Have you ever jumped to a conclusion, and became angry before knowing all the facts? Maybe you blamed someone for something they didn't do, or snapped at a friend who was actually defending you. We are constantly told to be careful of our pride, but sometimes our pride gets the best of us, and we react to something we feel "attacks" or "threatens" us, without taking an extra second to be sure.

And perhaps you have had the reverse happen, and had someone snap at you, or become angry at you. In fact, many people become angry at Christians, because they do not understand them, and because they do not want to hear the truth. Many people put their pride before the Truth, and believe that they are good enough by themselves to get into Heaven. Sometimes even hinting that they are a sinful being sets them off, and they quickly judge us without knowing our intentions. They feel as though we are attacking them personally, when in reality it is their pride we are hurting.

Even born-again, saved Christians have pride issues. We love to be praised for the good works we do, but take great offense if anyone tries to help us improve. When someone makes a suggestion, we are quickly provoked and instead of listening, start taking the defensive. And sure, we may smile, look at them, and thank them for their advice; but deep down inside we are hurt, and angry because they found something wrong with us. We become provoked by their love for us.

The danger of this pride, the danger of becoming provoked, and the danger of becoming angry, is the impact it has on our lives and our testimony. When we react without knowing all the facts, we are often wrong and unfair in our judgments. We often hurt people, or attack people who do not deserve it. When we get angry at someone for giving us advice, we ignore their advice and continue making the same mistakes. We let our foolish pride take control of our lives, instead of utilizing wisdom.

The next time you become angry at someone, ask yourself "Why?" Is it because they are judging you, and attacking you personally, or is it because they are trying to help, and your pride is getting in the way?
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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tuesday ~ June 5, 2012




Death. It is something that both intrigues the world, and scares the world. It is something that we are faced with everyday, sometimes expectedly, and other times not. It is something that causes philosophers to sit and wonder, what really happens when someone dies. Is there a soul? Is there an afterlife? And if so, what is the afterlife like?

Some people have set answers as to what happens after death. Atheists proclaim non-existance, that this life is all there is. Buddhists and Hindus believe that we'll get another chance, constantly living in the "hamster wheel" of life until we reach Nirvana. Yet, others aren't so sure, and the very thought of death brings a deep conviction, a fear of the unknown.

But for Christians, death is something else all together. There is a hope, a life existing with God. I remember reading about Cassie Bernall in "She Said Yes." When she was asked if she believed in God, she quickly replied "Yes," most likely knowing that answer would cause her death. Yet, at an extremely young age, Cassie died with a great hope. A hope that there was something more, something worth proclaiming.

Because as sad as death is for us on earth, and as much as we mourn and miss those who have passed; the truth is, death is only the end of our life on earth. We do not simply cease to exist, or end up stuck in the "hamster wheel" of reincarnation (Hebrews 9:27), but rather we move on to live with God, in Heaven, for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:15). We move on to a place where we can truly glorify our Lord, a place that is free from pain and suffering (Revelation 21:3-4).

As Christians, we should not be ignorant, as Paul says, regarding those who have passed away. Rather we should rejoice that they are with the Lord, in a place more peaceful and joyous than we can ever imagine. And for ourselves, when darkness seems to surround us, we should remember that nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39), and that we have absolutely no reason to fear death (1 John 4:17).

Or as one person put it, "A Christian's life is really nothing more than a bus ticket to Heaven... sure it may be a bumpy ride now and then, but the destination is worth the price paid."

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Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday ~ June 4, 2012


Guest Blogger Monday


Aaron Blurk


Are You Dating Other Gods?



Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
- Exodus 34:14


I have to be honest, I have never been the jealous type; that was until the other night. I was talking to my girlfriend, and found out that her ex-boyfriend wanted to "get back in touch." Immediately thousands of questions ran through my head, the big one being what his real intentions were. Did he just want to talk, did he want to try to get back together, etc.

And to be honest, I wasn't worried about my girlfriend's decision; after-all we have been together for quite sometime, and are both planning on getting married soon. However, just the fact that her ex-boyfriend wanted to talk with her bothered me.

The other thing that bothered me, was that I was jealous about this situation! Not the angry, hurtful jealous, but rather a calm, passive, and yet protective jealous. Like I said, I have never been the jealous type, and this confused me, it made me wonder why I was getting so protective of her, and why I didn't really want the "old" things in her life to come back in... Especially those things that might endanger my relationship with her.

After thinking about things for awhile, I came to realize that I was jealous because I loved her so very much. I was jealous because I didn't want anything to hurt her, or distract her from me. I was jealous because she meant more to me than anything in the world.

That's also when I realized we have a jealous God. So often we hear the word jealous, and think angry and hurtful, but there is another kind of jealousy. The kind of jealousy that is formed from TRUE love. And God is a jealous God...

God loves us so much, that He sent His only Son to die for our sins. He loves us so much He keeps forgiving us even though we keep sinning. He loves us so much that He watches over us day and night, offering His protection, and listening to our prayers. And He loves us so much, that He only wants what is best for us.

And because of this, He is a Jealous God. God does not want us focusing on our past, or bringing back the old things that caused us to faulter, the things that were not right for us. He does not want us to fall back into the trap's of sin, or to be led astray from him. Instead He constantly reminds us to stay focused on Him, so that we may become better Christians, and build a better relationship with Him.

Just like I became jealous when my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend wanted to come back in her life, so is God jealous when sin and worldly things try to creep back in ours.

What things are trying to creep back in your life today? Are they things that will help build your relationship with God, or things that will only lead you away from Him? Where is your focus... are you still living in the past, or are you gleaming towards the future and the wonderful things God has planned for you?

Don't let the sins of your past creep back into your life... Don't date other "Gods."
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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday ~ June3, 2012



Sunday ~ June3, 2012


It's All About Me!






"It's all about me!" Isn't that the attitude people seem to have today? Instead of sacrifice, people are looking at ways to make themselves feel better, no matter the cost. This attitude surrounds us, filling our book stores, our magazines, and even our TVs and movies. And unfortunately, it seems this attitude sometimes leaks into the church, and into our personal lives.

Looking at the blessings we have, we have so much to be thankful for. And yet, somehow we forget it and forge ahead, wanting more. Those of us blessed with marriage forget how precious our wife or husband is, and instead take our amazing spouse for granted. Instead of trying to please our spouse, we look for ways that he or she can please us. (Isaiah 56:11)

Perhaps this is just one reason that relationships do fall apart. That we start becoming lovers of ourselves, and not others. That we start focusing on what we can do for ourselves, or on our feelings, and we forget that love is not about getting... but sacrificing (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Of course, this is just one example of many.

At work we so often focus on our own promotion, that we let our coworkers fall further and further behind... only offering a hand when it will benefit us. With our friends, we are quick to suggest activities that we want to do, but slow to consider other people's thoughts. And even with our parents, we forget to be thankful for the years of sweat they have put in to help us become who we are today; and instead replace thankfulness with a quick temper when they "try to run our lives." (Exodus 20:12)

Now that we are in the season of Thanksgiving, think about all of the blessings you have received. Think about all the amazing, wonderful gifts that God has given you. Now ask yourself, are you using these gifts to share God's love, or are you keeping the blessings and happiness all to yourself? What can you do to help someone, as Christ helped you? (John 13:34)





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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Saturday ~ June 2, 2012



Saturday ~ June 2, 2012


Where are you planted?







Some people are great planters, and some people (such as myself) are not. 

Christians like-wise need to grow. We need to continue maturing spiritually, and continue to build our faith; otherwise we start to whither, and fade away. We need to find good soil, and feed ourselves with the nutrients that build our roots, so that when things get "hot" we will not shrivel up and die.

In the Parable of the Sowers, Jesus describes the very same groups of Christians you see today. He describes the Christians that try to grow in the "weeded areas." Here Christians are living with people who are only looking out for themselves. They are surrounded by people who practice behaviors contrary to what he/she believes is right, and when he/she mentions this, these "weeds" question or mock their faith.

This Christian is faced with great challenges, and has to use almost all of his/her strength to resist their temptations of sin, and stay focused on the course. They have to fight just to survive as they are starved of the nourishment they need, and just like a seed that falls in a weed brush they will never reach their full potential.

The second type of Christian that Jesus talks about, is what I call the "Bottle-Rocket" Christian. This is someone who gladly receives the word, but does not build up their roots. They often start out with a spark, and put on quite a show, but because they have not built up roots, they are soon destroyed by the elements. Without understanding, they quickly fall to false teachings that lead them back to where they came from. Like a bottle-rocket, this Christian makes a show, but is silenced very quickly with little impact on the world.

The last type of Christian Jesus talks about is the one who falls on good soil. Because this Christian landed on good soil and received the needed nourishment, this Christian was able to develop roots to withstand the false teachings and the brutal elements of this world. As this Christian continues to grow, the seeds from his/her life are spread throughout the world, and greatly impacts others. This Christian has the ability to become a dandelion... at the beginning of summer there are only a few, but by the end of summer they cover the lawn.

What type of environment are you putting yourself in? Are you around people who will help you understand and obey God's Word? Or are you around people who will try to pull you down to their own ideas and standards? Are you getting the nourishment (reading the Bible, personal time with God, church, etc) that you need... or are you finding yourself in a drought?

How can you improve your environment, and allow yourself to grow in Christ?



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Friday, June 1, 2012

Friday ~ June 1, 2012



Friday ~ June 1, 2012


Love the Lord Your God






Love is one of the funniest words in the English dictionary. It is a word that is so often said, yet so rarely done. We tell others how much we love them, only to turn around and hurt them seconds later.

The problem of course, is that we tend to focus on ourselves, and not on others. We tend to take care of our own desires, instead of trying to please others... which is the opposite of true love, a love from God, a love that is not self seeking. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

True love means putting aside anything, and everything that hinders our relationship with another being. Whether it is putting aside your flirtatious ways and committing fully to your spouse, or putting aside anything that distracts you from God. (Matthew 5:30)

Jesus told us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, with all of our soul, and with all of our mind. This means we have to put aside our own desires, and strive to serve Him in everything we do. When we eat we should be eating to praise God. When we drink we should be drinking to glorify God. And when we breathe, we should be breathing as a living testimony to the life He has given us. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Truly loving God means putting aside every thought of evil, and every action of sin. It means putting aside ourselves, and living for something greater... someone greater, in every decision we make.

Today, before you make a choice, ask yourself, "Does this glorify God?" Ask yourself if you are fulfilling your own desires, or if you are doing what God desires. Ask yourself, "am I loving God with all of my heart, all of my soul, and all of my mind?"










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