Sep 17

Every Day Is A Holiday

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In high school I had a football coach who had a saying he would drill into our minds almost every day. The saying was simple, yet profound. At the beginning of practice he would shout, “Boys, every day is a holiday and every meal is a feast.” Now, I have to admit, at first I did not quite understand the point my coach was trying to make. After all, how is every day a holiday, especially when you are on a practice field in temperatures 90 degrees and above?

It was not until a few weeks later I began to see exactly what my coach wanted us to see when he would give us those words of inspiration. He wanted us to see every day we came to practice as a blessing. We had the privilege and opportunity to participate in a sport we all loved to play. If we viewed each day as a privilege, we would be more likely to make the most of that day.

Here I am 12 years later, and I still think back to that old saying and the wisdom behind it. I have now come to realize every day I wake up should be viewed as a special day, a day that I have an opportunity to enjoy and use for good. Even though at times the world around us is depressing and seems almost hopeless, each day we wake up is another opportunity God has given us to make a difference in the lives of those around us. How will we choose to view each new day?

Friends, each day we wake up should be viewed as a holiday, a special day to use for God’s glory. Instead of viewing it with dread, try viewing it with excitement and anticipation. Think of all the endless possibilities that lie before us, some of which we have not even taken hold of yet. Every day truly is a holiday.

“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 1118:24)

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!

Aug 15

Joseph’s Game Plan

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Joseph's Game Plan copyAny time a person is going to enter battle or take the field against an opponent, he develops a game plan. Christians entering the battlefield of life should be no different. From the moment we wake up until the time we go to bed, we are at war. Our war is with the temptation to sin. For most of us this battle with sin is hard because of all the temptations we face.

Joseph was a young man who faced the same temptation day after day (Gen. 39:10), yet he didn’t succumb to it even when he had the perfect opportunity. He had a game plan in advance. Notice what Joseph did to help him resist the temptation before him.

  1. He Remembered (Gen. 39:9). As Potiphar’s wife was standing there tempting him to sin, Joseph stated how wrong this act would be to God. I have to think we would be less likely to sin if before we gave in to the temptation we reminded ourselves how wicked the act is in the eyes of God.
  2. He Realized (Gen. 39:8-9). While some people might have tried to justify giving in, Joseph did not. He understood there would be consequences because she was the wife of another man. He simply had too much to lose. One of the best ways to overcome temptation is to understand when we give in to the temptation and sin, there will always be consequences.
  3. He Refused (Gen. 39:8). Instead of giving Potiphar’s wife what she wanted, he refused her advances each time. If we’re going to overcome the temptations which face us, we’re going to have to make up our minds ahead of time to refuse the temptation.
  4. He Ran (Gen. 39:11-12). When Potiphar’s wife grabbed Joseph and demanded he sleep with her, Joseph understood his refusal was no longer enough and ran. He ran out of the house and away from the temptation. If we want to resist the temptations we face, run away from the people, places and things that tempt you to sin.

To overcome the war with sin, we’re going to need a game plan like Joseph. We must prepare well in advance or it will be too late. May God bless us with the wisdom to develop a game plan for resisting temptation.

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.