Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Jul 17

More Than A Fan

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Who are you a fan of? The word fan means, “Enthusiastic admirer.” With that definition in mind, obviously some of us are fans of certain sports teams, while others may be fans of actors/actresses, authors or musicians. We can be fans of pretty much anything we choose.

Most of us have probably heard of Jesus for about as long as we can remember. From the time we were young toddlers, our parents and/or grandparents probably took us to worship and taught us about Jesus and the sacrifice He made on our behalf. Many of us have probably done the same for our children and grandchildren. We have grown up hearing about Jesus and all the wonderful things He has done for us, thus turning us into big fans. The problem with this is that some of us are nothing more than fans of Jesus.

When reading through the Gospel accounts, it is evident some people followed Jesus simply because of the amazing miracles He had done (Jn. 6:2). Their motivation to follow Jesus was centered on the wrong things. They weren’t really followers of Jesus the Christ, they were only fans. Eventually, when things got tough, they turned away from their fandom (Jn. 6:60-66).

What about us today? Are we truly followers of Jesus or are we just fans? Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). Fans never really take the field to follow after Jesus; they just stand on the sidelines and cheer. Jesus doesn’t want cheerleaders, He wants followers.

Friends, Jesus is inviting you to do more than just stand on the sidelines and cheer. He is inviting you to take the field and be a part of the game. Jesus is inviting you and me to take up our cross daily and follow after Him (Lk. 9:23).

Are you a follower of Jesus or just a fan? If being a Christian doesn’t interfere with your life on a daily basis, perhaps you are nothing more than just a fan. It’s past time to get out of the stands and follow Jesus. He needs more followers and less cheerleaders.

 

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

Nov 18

What Will You Give Me?

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Photo Credit: Victor1558 via cc

I once asked one of the little kids at church to do me a favor. I just needed her to walk across the auditorium and tell someone not to leave before I had the chance to talk with him. I was tied up talking to someone else at the moment, but I really needed to talk to this other person as well. What happened next caught me off guard. She looked at me and asked, “What will you give me?” This little girl was willing to do whatever I asked as long as she got something in return.

Before Judas ever betrayed Jesus, he went to the chief priests and asked them, “What will you give me if I deliver him (Jesus) over to you?” (Matt. 26:15). Judas did not betray Jesus for no reason at all. He betrayed Jesus to get something in return.

It is easy for us to look at Judas and think, “What was he thinking? How could he betray his friend and Lord?” We are even so bold to think we would never do what Judas did; we would never betray Jesus for something like silver. However, I’m afraid we have more in common with Judas than we realize. While we might not betray Jesus for a certain sum of money, we betray Him in other ways.

Every day we wake up Satan comes after us with some type of sweet looking deal. He promises to give us happiness, fame, pleasure, riches, popularity or acceptance if we will just betray Jesus and bow down to the devil and his ways. Sadly, many of us do this without even realizing what we are doing. We give up a faithful and obedient relationship with Jesus just so we can enjoy whatever Satan and the world are offering us at that moment.

Friends, as we go throughout our daily lives, be careful about betraying Jesus for the mortal things around us. Let’s not stop and ask, “What will you give me?” because things of the world are never truly worth it in the end…just ask Judas.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

 

 

 

Aug 23

God Expects Us To Correct

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Photo Credit: TerranceDC via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: TerranceDC via Compfight cc

What do you consider to be the hardest thing you do in your walk with God? You probably can think of a long list of things you consider hard, but perhaps one of the harder things is to stop and listen when someone is trying to correct you or your behavior.

We don’t like being corrected and neither does our society. For some reason, we deem correction a good thing until it applies to our own lives; then we wonder why someone else is sticking his nose in our business.

Paul, in writing to the Thessalonian church, wrote, “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother“(2 Thess. 3:14-15). Did you catch what Paul said? We are not to associate with those living in sin, but we must admonish them. Why would Paul instruct such action on our part?

To the churches of Galatia, Paul said, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). We should rebuke those living in sin for the purpose of restoring them. An individual cannot be restored to a right relationship with God without first coming to the realization he is living in sin.

Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, informed Christians both then and now that God expects us to correct those who live sinful lives. This is our obligation and duty before man and God. We cannot just stand around and watch someone destroy his life with sin.

The problem we face is people do not like to be corrected. If we correct people for certain sins today, the society around us is outraged and we take unwanted heat because of our stance against sin. Sometimes this causes Christians to think twice before approaching those living in sin.

Still though, you and I must attempt to correct sinful behavior, no matter what others might say or think. Our concern and attempted correction is for the benefit of the one we are trying to correct, and hopefully we are doing it out of love and concern for their soul’s eternal destiny. I have heard it said, “Friends don’t let friends go to hell.” I hope this is true of you and me. If those around us are overtaken by sin we must admonish them and try to restore them to a right relationship with God.

May God grant us the boldness and wisdom to reach out and help correct those who are not living according to the will of God.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Prov. 12:1).

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Jun 24

LIMITLESS

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Have you ever taken time to consider how powerful God really is? Most of us understand and believe God is powerful. We even tell other people about the power of our God. However, have we stopped to think that His power is limitless? There is nothing in all of creation our God does not have power over.
Moses Sea 2

Make plans to join us this week for Vacation Bible School 2013 as we study about the limitless power of God. Over the course of this week we will study lessons from the life of Moses and learn about God’s power over earth, fire and water! Below are the lessons for each night of our VBS.

Sunday Night: The Bush that Didn’t Burn Up
Monday Night: The Sea that Divided
Tuesday Night: The Rocks that Produced Water
Wednesday Night: The Mountain that Couldn’t be Touched

VBS begins each night at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. There will be classes for all ages so make plans to be here each night. I know you’ll be glad you were here.

May 21

Debris, Destruction and Devastation

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As I watched the news unfold yesterday afternoon, my heart broke. With each passing image my stomach began to churn. What is being called one of the biggest and deadliest tornados in the history of the world struck the Moore Oklahoma community yesterday afternoon leaving behind a path of debris, destruction and devastation.

While many of us were heading home to hug and play with our loved ones, many families in Moore Oklahoma were searching for their loved ones in hopes that everyone was okay. For some, last night was an emotional reunion after a day of intense uncertainty, while for others it was the beginning of an unending nightmare.

As of the writing of this article, at least 51 have been confirmed dead and several others are still unaccounted for. Like all of you, I am thrilled to hear the many tales of survival this morning, but sadden to know many parents and family members still don’t know if their loved ones survived or not. It’s sickening to think about.

Which brings me to the question, “What can we do? Living several thousand miles away, how can we best assist those affected?” I know this is a question many people are asking. For most of us we don’t have the time, means or capabilities of physically traveling to Oklahoma to volunteer our services. If you are able to go, that is wonderful. Go and help as much and as long as you can. However, for those of us who can’t just pick up and go, what can we do? Consider a few possible ways we can be of assistance.

1) Give Monetarily. There are several organizations collecting funds to help those affected by the devastation. If you can donate $10, $20, $50 or $100, donate it. If you can only donate $5, donate $5. However much you have to donate, give it. Every little bit helps. Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Let’s help the people who have been affected bear this great burden.

2) Give Physically. I have heard of several disaster relief agencies preparing to travel to Oklahoma a.s.a.p. Pick one and find out what they are in need of and then give it. Water, canned food, clothes, etc. whatever they will accept, give to the cause. John wrote, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (I Jn. 3:17-18). Let’s shower the people of Oklahoma with the love of God.

3) Give Spiritually. First and foremost, as should always be the case, spend time in prayer. Ask God to comfort and bless this community and all those families who have been affected by this tragedy. The Bible teaches we have a responsibility to pray for others (Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:18). Even when we are confused and not quite sure what to pray, just start praying. The Spirit will intercede for us (Rom. 8:26-27). Let us pray, pray and pray some more.

Friends, as the heartbreaking news continues to break and the number of those who lost their lives continues to go up, let’s remember to find a way to do what we can to help alleviate the debris, destruction and the devastation that has taken place.

May our thoughts and prayers go out, not only today but for the days ahead, to all the people whose lives have been altered by this devastating tornado.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

QUESTION: What else can we do to help the people of Oklahoma? Leave your comments below.