Hello Everyone,
This week we are concluding our series on the Promises of God with the ultimate promise that was fulfilled. The birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Every year at Christmas we think of the gifts that were brought to Jesus from the wisemen and shepherds that were in the field. We even started the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas to celebrate the glorious events of Jesus birth. While celebrating Christ birth we forget what his birth represents for mankind. Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of God's most important promise to man, the promise of a Messiah to redeem us to him for the sins of mankind.
When Christ was born hope was restored to a broken world and with his death on the cross we were given full atonement for our sins and a restored relationship with him. I can't think of a better gift anyone could give or receive. One life changed the lives of millions for eternity. This week before Christmas I want to thank God for the gift and all the fulfilled promises he has given me personally and the ultimate gift he has given us all.
God bless and Merry Christmas,
Billy
Luke 2: 8-20
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"
15And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Promises of God
Hello Everyone,
Around the holidays I always wish that I were wealthy and could give my family and friends lavish gifts, you know Lexus commercial type gifts, the ones they would never expect to receive. With it being the holiday season we can think of the Promise of Salvation God made to us when he promised to send us a Messiah for full atonement for our sins as that kind of gift. The kind none of us are worthy of receiving but as a father God gave it to us anyway.
I know over the years I have received many gifts that I didn't expect and some I know I didn't deserve to get, but my parents got them for me just the same. The things I think of the most are how much enjoyment it brought my Dad when he took the time to wrap a shotgun in five separate packages just to see my face when I finally got all five pieces to the puzzle. I think God does the same thing. He gets enjoyment when he sees us finally accept his gift of salvation when we get the whole package open. When we realize we can't do it by ourselves.
I didn't fully grasp how important it is for a father to be needed until I had children of my own. When they do things on their own its tough to admit but we don't feel as needed as we did when they were dependant on us. Yes we can learn to be SELF-sufficient, we can be SELF-made but we lose the whole point of why we were made. If we were made to be by ourselves God would have made Adam and been done.
God made promises to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, as the grains of sand in the sea. He wouldn't have made that promise if he wanted us to be SELF-sufficient or SELF-made. He wouldn't have given us the ultimate gift in Jesus Christ for us to be by ourselves. He fulfilled his promise two thousand years ago in a manger in Bethlehem, our part is to accept Christ and love like Jesus loved.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Genesis 17:6-9
6And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
8And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
9And God said unto Abraham, "Thou shalt keep My covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed after thee in their generations
Luke 2:25-32
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him after the custom of the law,
28then he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God and said,
29"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word;
30for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
31which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
32a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."
Around the holidays I always wish that I were wealthy and could give my family and friends lavish gifts, you know Lexus commercial type gifts, the ones they would never expect to receive. With it being the holiday season we can think of the Promise of Salvation God made to us when he promised to send us a Messiah for full atonement for our sins as that kind of gift. The kind none of us are worthy of receiving but as a father God gave it to us anyway.
I know over the years I have received many gifts that I didn't expect and some I know I didn't deserve to get, but my parents got them for me just the same. The things I think of the most are how much enjoyment it brought my Dad when he took the time to wrap a shotgun in five separate packages just to see my face when I finally got all five pieces to the puzzle. I think God does the same thing. He gets enjoyment when he sees us finally accept his gift of salvation when we get the whole package open. When we realize we can't do it by ourselves.
I didn't fully grasp how important it is for a father to be needed until I had children of my own. When they do things on their own its tough to admit but we don't feel as needed as we did when they were dependant on us. Yes we can learn to be SELF-sufficient, we can be SELF-made but we lose the whole point of why we were made. If we were made to be by ourselves God would have made Adam and been done.
God made promises to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, as the grains of sand in the sea. He wouldn't have made that promise if he wanted us to be SELF-sufficient or SELF-made. He wouldn't have given us the ultimate gift in Jesus Christ for us to be by ourselves. He fulfilled his promise two thousand years ago in a manger in Bethlehem, our part is to accept Christ and love like Jesus loved.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Genesis 17:6-9
6And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
8And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
9And God said unto Abraham, "Thou shalt keep My covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed after thee in their generations
Luke 2:25-32
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him after the custom of the law,
28then he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God and said,
29"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word;
30for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
31which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
32a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The promises of God
Hello Everyone,
This week I am starting a series titled Promises of God. Over the next few weeks we are going to cover many passages that show God fulfilling the promises he has made.
While reading different bible passages this week I was in Deuteronomy when I read chapter 9 verse 5 and 6 which reads "It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go into possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand the Lord your God is not giving you this land because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
When I first read this passage I was just thinking ok he is letting the people of Israel know that they have sinned and are not getting the land because they are good, which they were not. He is giving the land because of a promise he made long ago many generations before. When we think about this in context and with a few New Testament passages the picture becomes clearer.
Romans 11:26 and 27
And so all Israel will be saved as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
2 Corinthians 1:19,20
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not "yea" and "nay," but in Him was "yea."
For all the promises of God in Him are "yea"; and in Him "amen" unto the glory of God by us.
As you can see from these passages God is fulfilling the promises he had made to Abraham and his descendants. Not only did he promise them land flowing with milk and honey he promised salvation to all who would believe and call on His name. One thing you will find in reading through the bible when God makes a promise he keeps it. He promised Abraham the "promised land" and although Abraham did not follow God's word and stopped before reaching the Promised Land his descendants still received the land.
Next week we will look into the passages about the promise of salvation.
This week as you read through scripture ask God to lead you to a better understanding so you can find more ways he has fulfilled His Word.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
This week I am starting a series titled Promises of God. Over the next few weeks we are going to cover many passages that show God fulfilling the promises he has made.
While reading different bible passages this week I was in Deuteronomy when I read chapter 9 verse 5 and 6 which reads "It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go into possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand the Lord your God is not giving you this land because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
When I first read this passage I was just thinking ok he is letting the people of Israel know that they have sinned and are not getting the land because they are good, which they were not. He is giving the land because of a promise he made long ago many generations before. When we think about this in context and with a few New Testament passages the picture becomes clearer.
Romans 11:26 and 27
And so all Israel will be saved as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
2 Corinthians 1:19,20
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not "yea" and "nay," but in Him was "yea."
For all the promises of God in Him are "yea"; and in Him "amen" unto the glory of God by us.
As you can see from these passages God is fulfilling the promises he had made to Abraham and his descendants. Not only did he promise them land flowing with milk and honey he promised salvation to all who would believe and call on His name. One thing you will find in reading through the bible when God makes a promise he keeps it. He promised Abraham the "promised land" and although Abraham did not follow God's word and stopped before reaching the Promised Land his descendants still received the land.
Next week we will look into the passages about the promise of salvation.
This week as you read through scripture ask God to lead you to a better understanding so you can find more ways he has fulfilled His Word.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What to do after Thanksgiving
Hello Everyone,
Now that Thanksgiving has past how many of us have gone right back to business as usual? We gave thanks to God on Thursday but on Friday went back to worshipping the things we made from our hands. All of the blessings that came our way over the weekend were made possible by our beliefs in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Don't get me wrong we must work hard and make plans. God tells us that he will esatblish the work of our hands. If we build something without honoring God it becomes idolatry and moves us further from God. We must not forget that it is God we serve and without him blessing our work it will not be successful.
As you go throughout the rest of the holidays remember it does not have to be Thanksgiving to give thanks to our Creator for all that he does for us and through us. Continue to serve and be the light in someone's life today.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Psalms 90:17
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Psalms 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Titus 1:6
They profess that they know God, but in their works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
1 Chronicles 29: 12,13 12Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou reignest over all. And in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious name.
Now that Thanksgiving has past how many of us have gone right back to business as usual? We gave thanks to God on Thursday but on Friday went back to worshipping the things we made from our hands. All of the blessings that came our way over the weekend were made possible by our beliefs in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Don't get me wrong we must work hard and make plans. God tells us that he will esatblish the work of our hands. If we build something without honoring God it becomes idolatry and moves us further from God. We must not forget that it is God we serve and without him blessing our work it will not be successful.
As you go throughout the rest of the holidays remember it does not have to be Thanksgiving to give thanks to our Creator for all that he does for us and through us. Continue to serve and be the light in someone's life today.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Psalms 90:17
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Psalms 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Titus 1:6
They profess that they know God, but in their works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
1 Chronicles 29: 12,13 12Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou reignest over all. And in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious name.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
True meaning of Thanksgiving
Hello Everyone,
With Thanksgiving being this week I wanted to get into the real meaning behind Thanksgiving and the reason why it is celebrated. Is it a holiday about football? Is it a holiday about sales? Is it a holiday about eating or turkeys?
Here is the definition from Wikipedia:
Thanksgiving was a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots. My question would be why did it move from its religious roots. Did God quit blessing us? Or did we forget that it was God who blessed us?
In America President Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War on the 3rd day of October 1863 proclaimed that the last Thursday in November would be celebrated as Thanksgiving day.
Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
Abraham Lincoln
During this holiday week remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving. As you are with family, or working, or shopping at all the sales share the true meaning of Thanksgiving with the people around you. And don't forget to give praise and Thanksgiving to the one who it is owed, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Colossians 4:1-2 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with Thanksgiving;
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us Thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many Thanksgivings unto God;
With Thanksgiving being this week I wanted to get into the real meaning behind Thanksgiving and the reason why it is celebrated. Is it a holiday about football? Is it a holiday about sales? Is it a holiday about eating or turkeys?
Here is the definition from Wikipedia:
Thanksgiving was a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots. My question would be why did it move from its religious roots. Did God quit blessing us? Or did we forget that it was God who blessed us?
In America President Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War on the 3rd day of October 1863 proclaimed that the last Thursday in November would be celebrated as Thanksgiving day.
Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
Abraham Lincoln
During this holiday week remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving. As you are with family, or working, or shopping at all the sales share the true meaning of Thanksgiving with the people around you. And don't forget to give praise and Thanksgiving to the one who it is owed, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Colossians 4:1-2 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with Thanksgiving;
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us Thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many Thanksgivings unto God;
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Giving the water of life
Hello Everyone,
This past week during an Alpha course my wife and are attending, the speaker Nicky Gumble was talking about Christ giving living water and the significance of the living water. In the middle east during those times water was very scarce and wells were spread out. When you went to the well to get water your got your days supply of water. In researching online I found you can go from between 3-5 days without water. So Jesus using water as a way of speaking of the Holy Spirit is very significant. Without liquid water we do not have our human life, without Christ in our life we are not able to live our lives to the full the way God intended for us to live. Below I have listed some examples of how Christ used water as a reference to the Holy Spirit.
This week every time you go to the water cooler or fill your glass at the sink take the time to think about what WATER means to you.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
In John 4:7-14 Jesus speaks of water and its significance.
7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said unto her, "Give Me to drink."
9Then said the woman of Samaria unto Him, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest a drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria?" For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, `Give Me to drink,' thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."
11The woman said unto Him, "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From whence then hast thou that living water?
12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank thereof himself, and his children and his cattle?"
13Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again,
14but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Jesus was not talking of a days supply of water he was talking about the living water the very essence of life itself. He was speaking of pouring out the Holy Spirit into the hearts of all believers.
In Revelation 22:17 Christ tells us" 17And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, "I am the Bread of Life. He that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst.
John 7:37
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
Isaiah 41:17
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
How Christ sees us
Hello Everyone,
This week while listening to a song on the local Christian radio station I heard a song called This Man by Jeremy Camp, I had a thought. I have always thought that Christ went to the cross for someone he didn't know, even though he knew what was going to happen to him. In reality he did know us, just not the person that is before him now. In Jeremiah he lets the prophet know this by stating, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
It is funny how the more we read God's word the more things come to us. I had not thought about Christ still seeing us as an innocent child until I was driving that day. But that is what he sees that is why it wasn't even a thought for him to give his life for us. Even though we have grown into adults and have committed sins he does not see us that way. Much the same way a mother does not see her adult child as an adult that has done bad things. If you were to ask a mother of a person convicted of a crime you will get the same answer. "I know he has done wrong but he is still my son and I love him." This is exactly the way Christ sees us, he knows we have wronged him but he still loves us enough to forgive us if we ask.
As you go through the week think of ways that God speaks to you. Remember it is not always a thundering voice coming down from above, he may speak to you through your child, through his Word as you read scripture, or through a song on the radio. Slow down open your heart and listen to what he has to say. And if you haven't asked him to forgive you of your sins, ask him to forgive you and to come into your heart.
Have a blessed week!
Isaiah 49:15
15"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Matthew 10:19
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaketh in you.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Problem solving through Christ: Anger
Hello Everyone,
We are continuing in our series of problem solving through Christ. This week we are going to address something that every person at one time or another has experienced. I doubt there is any one that has lived before or since Christ that has not had some sort of anger. It can consume us and cause us to make decisions we would not make under normal circumstances.
How many times has one person made you angry but you have lashed out at the innocent? Do you bring anger and frustrations home from the world just to have them come out around the ones you love. God has given us many examples in the Bible how our anger can lead us to ruin, in our emotional, spiritual, and financial lives.
This week when you feel anger creeping into your heart think of how patient God is with us. In the old Testament he was portrayed as an angry God. But through Christ he turned from the anger of judging an unjust world to the one true command that we should live by, to love each other as Christ loved us.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Ecclesiastes 7:9
9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Proverbs 15:1-2
1A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Psalms 37 :7-9
7Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Proverbs 16:32
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
We are continuing in our series of problem solving through Christ. This week we are going to address something that every person at one time or another has experienced. I doubt there is any one that has lived before or since Christ that has not had some sort of anger. It can consume us and cause us to make decisions we would not make under normal circumstances.
How many times has one person made you angry but you have lashed out at the innocent? Do you bring anger and frustrations home from the world just to have them come out around the ones you love. God has given us many examples in the Bible how our anger can lead us to ruin, in our emotional, spiritual, and financial lives.
This week when you feel anger creeping into your heart think of how patient God is with us. In the old Testament he was portrayed as an angry God. But through Christ he turned from the anger of judging an unjust world to the one true command that we should live by, to love each other as Christ loved us.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Ecclesiastes 7:9
9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Proverbs 15:1-2
1A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Psalms 37 :7-9
7Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Proverbs 16:32
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Problem solving through Christ: Greed
Hello Everyone,
We are continuing in the problem-solving through Christ series. I should have worded it differently though, it should be Christ solving problems through us as once we give our lives to Him. He is in us in all that we do.
This week we are going to cover something that is hard to define but so easy to get caught up in: the problem of greed. The reason it is hard to define is everyone thinks of greed differently. One person may see only money when they think of greed. Another may see land or material possessions. Webster's definition is : a selfish and excessive desire to have more of something than is needed.
If you look at it according to the dictionary definition it is not just money that can cause a person to be greedy. Anything that you have an excessive desire or obsess on can be seen as greed. Say you want the best seat at the football game, you think that you need to have a personalized parking space at work, or you have a collection of something and you just have to have that one item to complete your collection. These can all be seen as excessive and if we let them can control our lives. If they control us it can be hard for us to have an open relationship with God.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In Mark Jesus speaks about such things and warns us to beware of such people. If he warns us to beware of such people we could also take that as a warning not to become one of these people.
How many things in your life do you want more of than is needed?
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Mark 12:38-44
38And He said unto them in His doctrine, "Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts,
40who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."
41And Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. And many who were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And He called unto Him His disciples and said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they that have cast into the treasury;
44for they all cast in of their abundance, but she of her want cast in all that she had, even all her living."
We are continuing in the problem-solving through Christ series. I should have worded it differently though, it should be Christ solving problems through us as once we give our lives to Him. He is in us in all that we do.
This week we are going to cover something that is hard to define but so easy to get caught up in: the problem of greed. The reason it is hard to define is everyone thinks of greed differently. One person may see only money when they think of greed. Another may see land or material possessions. Webster's definition is : a selfish and excessive desire to have more of something than is needed.
If you look at it according to the dictionary definition it is not just money that can cause a person to be greedy. Anything that you have an excessive desire or obsess on can be seen as greed. Say you want the best seat at the football game, you think that you need to have a personalized parking space at work, or you have a collection of something and you just have to have that one item to complete your collection. These can all be seen as excessive and if we let them can control our lives. If they control us it can be hard for us to have an open relationship with God.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In Mark Jesus speaks about such things and warns us to beware of such people. If he warns us to beware of such people we could also take that as a warning not to become one of these people.
How many things in your life do you want more of than is needed?
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Mark 12:38-44
38And He said unto them in His doctrine, "Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts,
40who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."
41And Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. And many who were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And He called unto Him His disciples and said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they that have cast into the treasury;
44for they all cast in of their abundance, but she of her want cast in all that she had, even all her living."
Monday, September 27, 2010
Problem Solving with Christ: Un-forgiveness
Hello Everyone,
We are continuing with our problem solving series with something that will help us get on the right path with Christ. Getting rid of any un-forgiveness we are carrying.
Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer that in order for us to receive forgiveness we must also forgive those that have sinned against us. He uses the terms debt and debtors which is so symbolic as he paid all our debts when he died on the cross.
This is probably one of the hardest things to do today. So many people think it is ok to hate those that do wrong to us. You can't turn on the TV without hearing how this politician hates this one, or people in one country hate the people in the other country, or I can't believe you would talk to him after what he did. We have grown to be a hateful society.
That is not the way we should live our lives. It is hard to forgive people that have wronged you. But in order to truly free ourselves from the feelings of guilt we must let go of all of the of our old ways and let Christ live through us.
This week as you pray, pray for those who have wronged you, you will truly start to see life through Christ eyes.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be Your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
Matthew 18:21-35
21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
22And Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.
23"Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king who would settle accounts with his servants.
24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25But inasmuch as he could not pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26The servant therefore fell down and did homage to him, saying,`Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.'
27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt.
28But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence. And he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, `Pay me what thou owest.'
29And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.'
30And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, `O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me.
33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?'
34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother's trespasses."
We are continuing with our problem solving series with something that will help us get on the right path with Christ. Getting rid of any un-forgiveness we are carrying.
Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer that in order for us to receive forgiveness we must also forgive those that have sinned against us. He uses the terms debt and debtors which is so symbolic as he paid all our debts when he died on the cross.
This is probably one of the hardest things to do today. So many people think it is ok to hate those that do wrong to us. You can't turn on the TV without hearing how this politician hates this one, or people in one country hate the people in the other country, or I can't believe you would talk to him after what he did. We have grown to be a hateful society.
That is not the way we should live our lives. It is hard to forgive people that have wronged you. But in order to truly free ourselves from the feelings of guilt we must let go of all of the of our old ways and let Christ live through us.
This week as you pray, pray for those who have wronged you, you will truly start to see life through Christ eyes.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be Your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
Matthew 18:21-35
21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
22And Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.
23"Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king who would settle accounts with his servants.
24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25But inasmuch as he could not pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26The servant therefore fell down and did homage to him, saying,`Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.'
27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt.
28But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence. And he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, `Pay me what thou owest.'
29And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.'
30And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, `O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me.
33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?'
34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother's trespasses."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Problem Solving with Christ
Hello Everyone,
We are continuing in our series of problem-solving thru Christ. He is our true problem solver. I know there are many selp-help books and more than enough television shows "helping us with our problems both physical and emotional". There is a whole industry that has grown up from the self-help movement. That is not the way God intended for us to succeed in our life. When we rely solely on ourselves we leave out the One who wants to help us the most.
We are taught in the Bible not to be selfish, but in society we are taught to "look out for number one". This is just one of the several ways that the devil tries to alter the true word. I know we have all heard the saying " the Lord helps those who help themselves". Many people actually think that is in the Bible. We should seek the truth that is in his word and stop relying on ourselves to solve all of our problems. I have always found peace and strength in Jesus teachings in Matthew when he asked what will we eat.
Matthew 6:25-26
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
We are not to be self seeking or self reliant God wants us to lean on him for all that we need. It is so hard not to be selfish or self-reliant but it is something we must work on everyday.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Job 20:22
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress;
Every hand of misery will come against him.
Proverbs 14:16
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
Matthew 23:24-26
24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
We are continuing in our series of problem-solving thru Christ. He is our true problem solver. I know there are many selp-help books and more than enough television shows "helping us with our problems both physical and emotional". There is a whole industry that has grown up from the self-help movement. That is not the way God intended for us to succeed in our life. When we rely solely on ourselves we leave out the One who wants to help us the most.
We are taught in the Bible not to be selfish, but in society we are taught to "look out for number one". This is just one of the several ways that the devil tries to alter the true word. I know we have all heard the saying " the Lord helps those who help themselves". Many people actually think that is in the Bible. We should seek the truth that is in his word and stop relying on ourselves to solve all of our problems. I have always found peace and strength in Jesus teachings in Matthew when he asked what will we eat.
Matthew 6:25-26
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
We are not to be self seeking or self reliant God wants us to lean on him for all that we need. It is so hard not to be selfish or self-reliant but it is something we must work on everyday.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Job 20:22
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress;
Every hand of misery will come against him.
Proverbs 14:16
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
Matthew 23:24-26
24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Servant Leadership
Hello Everyone,
This week as we celebrate Labor Day I am going to dive into the biblical principles of servant leadership.
In Exodus 18:17-26 Moses' father-in-law Jethro teaches Moses about servant leadership. This is the first place where I can find any written examples of servant leadership. He has Moses pick leaders to oversee smaller things. They bring the harder things to Moses but make decisions on the lesser ones. This is a principle I am familiar with as this is the principle used by the leadership of the company I am employed by.
Christ in John 15: 13-15 takes this principle further. He no longer thinks of his disciples as servants but calls them friends. Do you think of your coworkers as friends? The person that works just below you, have you asked him or her recently how his family is doing? Do you know his wife's name? Do you no how many children he has and what there names are?
This week we need to take the "servant out of servant leadership" and to realize we are all serving someone higher than us, our lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Exodus 18: 17-26
17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
John 15:13-15
15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
Colossians 3:22-24
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
This week as we celebrate Labor Day I am going to dive into the biblical principles of servant leadership.
In Exodus 18:17-26 Moses' father-in-law Jethro teaches Moses about servant leadership. This is the first place where I can find any written examples of servant leadership. He has Moses pick leaders to oversee smaller things. They bring the harder things to Moses but make decisions on the lesser ones. This is a principle I am familiar with as this is the principle used by the leadership of the company I am employed by.
Christ in John 15: 13-15 takes this principle further. He no longer thinks of his disciples as servants but calls them friends. Do you think of your coworkers as friends? The person that works just below you, have you asked him or her recently how his family is doing? Do you know his wife's name? Do you no how many children he has and what there names are?
This week we need to take the "servant out of servant leadership" and to realize we are all serving someone higher than us, our lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Exodus 18: 17-26
17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
John 15:13-15
15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
Colossians 3:22-24
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Hello Everyone,
This week I am going to pose a few questions I have had for God.
Have any of you ever wanted to ask God why?
Not why do bad things happen to us?
Not why do you permit evil?
Not why did our loved ones have to die?
But why did you send Christ down to die for our sins?
Why would you send your son, why would you become one of us and suffer for a sinful man that shows his appreciation by crucifying you?
I am so thankful that you did, but have a difficult time understanding why.
I have chosen a few passages that have helped me with some of these questions. God has not completely answered them but I will continue to listen for when he does.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
2 Corinthians 5:15-18 NIV
15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
Psalm 145:18 NIV
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
John 15:18-26
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.
26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
Romans 8:31-35
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
This week I am going to pose a few questions I have had for God.
Have any of you ever wanted to ask God why?
Not why do bad things happen to us?
Not why do you permit evil?
Not why did our loved ones have to die?
But why did you send Christ down to die for our sins?
Why would you send your son, why would you become one of us and suffer for a sinful man that shows his appreciation by crucifying you?
I am so thankful that you did, but have a difficult time understanding why.
I have chosen a few passages that have helped me with some of these questions. God has not completely answered them but I will continue to listen for when he does.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
2 Corinthians 5:15-18 NIV
15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
Psalm 145:18 NIV
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
John 15:18-26
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.
26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
Romans 8:31-35
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Don't worry be happy
Hello Everyone,
This month was one of those months that things were a little tight. I know not to worry because I know God will fulfill all of our needs. But even as Christians we have a tendency to worry about things as mundane as the weather, traffic, politics, and even how we will be perceived by the world. We worry about other things as well that have more bearing on our lives. How much time have you put into worrying about your balance sheets at work, your CSI scores, as kids we worried about test scores.
All of these things bring acceptance in the world. It is good for us to want to do well and succeed in life, as long as we don't put all of our life into succeeding. When we do well we reflect Christ living in our lives. That is the key to the things you put emphasis on, am I bringing glory to God in the things I do? In achieving my success did I apply biblical principles to my practices?
God wants us to succeed in all that he blesses us to do. It brings him pleasure to see his children do well, just as we swell with pride when we see our children do well. The key is to apply Christ in all we do. If we do that everything our hands touch will prosper.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Matthew 6:25-29
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
This month was one of those months that things were a little tight. I know not to worry because I know God will fulfill all of our needs. But even as Christians we have a tendency to worry about things as mundane as the weather, traffic, politics, and even how we will be perceived by the world. We worry about other things as well that have more bearing on our lives. How much time have you put into worrying about your balance sheets at work, your CSI scores, as kids we worried about test scores.
All of these things bring acceptance in the world. It is good for us to want to do well and succeed in life, as long as we don't put all of our life into succeeding. When we do well we reflect Christ living in our lives. That is the key to the things you put emphasis on, am I bringing glory to God in the things I do? In achieving my success did I apply biblical principles to my practices?
God wants us to succeed in all that he blesses us to do. It brings him pleasure to see his children do well, just as we swell with pride when we see our children do well. The key is to apply Christ in all we do. If we do that everything our hands touch will prosper.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Matthew 6:25-29
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A Pledge of Thanksgiving and Praise
Hello Everyone,
The past week has been a very eventful one. One that has made me reflect on things and take note of what is important and what is not. I have been blessed with many things in my life and like everyone else has not showed God the appreciation I should have at times. I have taken many things for granted, from God, my wife, family and friends, and have seen that life is far too precious and short not to enjoy everyone. I have pledged myself this week to make sure I show God, My wife and my family and friends how much they mean to me.
The challenge I would have for everyone this week is to start everyday thanking God for ALL that he does for you. Make sure everyone in your life knows how much you appreciate them by showing them. Something as simple as telling your son I love you or cleaning up the dinner dishes for your wife. Little things sometimes carry more weight than we realize.
1 Chronicles 23:30
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening,
The challenge I would have for everyone this week is to start everyday thanking God for ALL that he does for you. Make sure everyone in your life knows how much you appreciate them by showing them. Something as simple as telling your son I love you or cleaning up the dinner dishes for your wife. Little things sometimes carry more weight than we realize.
1 Chronicles 23:30
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening,
1 Chronicles 29:13
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Daniel 2:23
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
Psalms 18:49
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Throughout the day think of your interactions with your family, coworkers, and the public and glorify his name in all you do.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Daniel 2:23
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
Psalms 18:49
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Throughout the day think of your interactions with your family, coworkers, and the public and glorify his name in all you do.
Have a blessed week!
Billy
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Wealth and Salvation
Hello Everyone,
This week our pastor was preaching a sermon on "Flunking Life." Part of the sermon brought up the parable of the young rich man and what he must do to get in to Heaven.
Matthew 19: 16-24
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
In this parable Jesus mentions "the eye of a needle." There are many questions whether he is talking literally or about a gate that had existed in Jerusalem where one had to strip his camel of all that he was carrying and make it prostrate itself to crawl through.
After hearing our pastor talk about this story I had a revelation of us stripping off our possessions and crawling before God.
I had never heard the story of the gate before and had not thought of this parable in this way. We do not have to be rich, in possessions, because through Christ we have eternal life which is far greater than any possessions. You see in fact a rich man can have eternal life, the main question is in what he sees as being rich.
Do you see possessions or do you see serving Christ as your definition of the word rich.
Have a Christ filled week!
Billy
This week our pastor was preaching a sermon on "Flunking Life." Part of the sermon brought up the parable of the young rich man and what he must do to get in to Heaven.
Matthew 19: 16-24
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
In this parable Jesus mentions "the eye of a needle." There are many questions whether he is talking literally or about a gate that had existed in Jerusalem where one had to strip his camel of all that he was carrying and make it prostrate itself to crawl through.
After hearing our pastor talk about this story I had a revelation of us stripping off our possessions and crawling before God.
I had never heard the story of the gate before and had not thought of this parable in this way. We do not have to be rich, in possessions, because through Christ we have eternal life which is far greater than any possessions. You see in fact a rich man can have eternal life, the main question is in what he sees as being rich.
Do you see possessions or do you see serving Christ as your definition of the word rich.
Have a Christ filled week!
Billy
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