1 John 5:6
And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross-not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. (NLT)
When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist it fulfilled prophecy bringing Him to the next place in His life on earth. It was His rite of passage to begin His ministry on earth on the way to fulfilling His purpose. If destiny was to come to pass, He would have to go from baptism to ministry to the cross.
After the fulfilling of all prophecy about Him, Jesus Christ was ultimately revealed to the world as the Son of God.
When we are baptized in the tradition of John by being dunked in water, or sprinkled, or whatever your tradition is, we are publicly exclaiming our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We are declaring our faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When I was growing in my faith I experienced many who proclaimed to believe, but told me their faith was a private thing. Attending church was their pronouncement of their belief. Beyond that they did not wish to say.
I do not believe our faith is so personal that we are to keep it to ourselves. We are to share it with others everywhere our feet tread. If we do not, then we are not obeying the commission Jesus gave to each of us.
We have become complacent in our churches depending on the latest marketing program to entice the lost to come through our doors. We may even have programs that take a few of our members and place them out in society in various ways to reach the lost and get them to come to church Sunday.
Have we lost the voice? We tell about out latest adventures in this life. We are excited about our great new vacation, our big screen TV, the latest deal we got at Wal-Mart, the game our son won on the weekend, etc. What about our excitement about our Lord and Savior and what He has been doing in our lives?
Perhaps we are not talking because we have not been listening to the Holy Spirit and letting Him guide us in all things. Perhaps our communion with God starts and stops with passing the bread and grape juice on Sunday morning in church.
I hope this is not true and that we truly are excited about Jesus Christ, His life and death on the cross for our sins, and His daily work in our lives. As we use our voice to tell others about what the Godhead does in and for our lives others will be touched. They will see the light of Christ shining in our lives and seek Him out.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Temptation
Matthew 18:7
How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting. (NLT)
There is not one of us who can say; we have never been tempted; nor can we say, we have never given into temptation. But can we be blamed for tempting someone else?
I have been doing real well over the past few months in the eating department. We have changed our eating habits to try to eat healthier. I did not think it would be possible to go without bread and deserts, but I have managed well and even lost a few pounds. Add to that drinking lots of water each day and exercise and the results are obvious.
However, when I go somewhere like one of our great Bible Discovery Group meetings during the week, I am tempted to try a piece or two of the scrumptious looking deserts someone brings for us to snack on. Sometimes I just give in to that temptation and have a piece, ruining my calorie intake number for that day.
Often we get excited about something we have gotten involved in and try to convince others to jump on the bandwagon with us. Yet what is a small investment to us could be someone else's life savings. Our little venture could temp them into overextending themselves causing them to sin.
Our excitement and commitment can be so overwhelming for others that they ignore that still small voice of warning in instead only hear our loud cry. And if we say it is alright, it must be so. Wrong. We are causing them to sin by grieving the Holy Spirit trying to lead them on the right path for them.
So whether it is food or finances or just our lifestyle, we need to be careful we do not manipulate others to our way of thinking. We must listen to the Holy Spirit to guide our day-to-day decisions. We need to let others do the same.
How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting. (NLT)
There is not one of us who can say; we have never been tempted; nor can we say, we have never given into temptation. But can we be blamed for tempting someone else?
I have been doing real well over the past few months in the eating department. We have changed our eating habits to try to eat healthier. I did not think it would be possible to go without bread and deserts, but I have managed well and even lost a few pounds. Add to that drinking lots of water each day and exercise and the results are obvious.
However, when I go somewhere like one of our great Bible Discovery Group meetings during the week, I am tempted to try a piece or two of the scrumptious looking deserts someone brings for us to snack on. Sometimes I just give in to that temptation and have a piece, ruining my calorie intake number for that day.
Often we get excited about something we have gotten involved in and try to convince others to jump on the bandwagon with us. Yet what is a small investment to us could be someone else's life savings. Our little venture could temp them into overextending themselves causing them to sin.
Our excitement and commitment can be so overwhelming for others that they ignore that still small voice of warning in instead only hear our loud cry. And if we say it is alright, it must be so. Wrong. We are causing them to sin by grieving the Holy Spirit trying to lead them on the right path for them.
So whether it is food or finances or just our lifestyle, we need to be careful we do not manipulate others to our way of thinking. We must listen to the Holy Spirit to guide our day-to-day decisions. We need to let others do the same.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Open Doors
Colossians 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains (NIV)
In my past, I thought we were the ones that controlled opening and closing of doors. There was a TV show where the contestant had to choose from three doors. Do you want what is behind door number 1, 2, or 3?
The doors we chose in life were doors we thought would allow us to have fun, to enjoy life.
When we were growing up, we turned many corners in life looking for new ways to have fun. After High School, I looked to the ways of the world. My friends smoked cigarettes and drank drinks like whiskey sours, wine coolers, or rum and coke. So I tried out their ways for a while, but I never really had fun.
In my teen years, I played tennis and spent hours talking on my ham radio. Those were fun things for me. I have not played tennis in years, but did try my hand at it again in Florida a few weeks ago. I was surprised that I could still get the ball over the net. It was still fun.
Ham Radio had been a silent hobby for years. Back in the 80's I taught classes and helped many in Rhode Island learn Morse code and get their Novice license from the FCC. Then life got busy and that hobby took a back seat. Recently I have had the time to dabble a little and it is still fun talking to someone halfway around the world.
Back to open doors. They are all around us. There are doors for us to walk through in this life that will prosper us and doors allowing us the opportunity to complete the Father's work. God uses the Holy Spirit to show us where they are.
It is a wonder every time a door opens and we are able to preach the message God has given us.
Often we miss the open doors because we are not looking for them. We are not open for the Holy Spirit to tell us. It is not His job to shout at us. It is our job to be open to Him and to use those opportunities to tell the story of Jesus in our life.
"Father, open my spiritual ears. Show me the open doors you have for me to walk through. Guide me in the natural to those things I need to prosper. And show me the work you have for me to further the Kingdom of God. In Jesus mighty name, I pray. Amen."
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains (NIV)
In my past, I thought we were the ones that controlled opening and closing of doors. There was a TV show where the contestant had to choose from three doors. Do you want what is behind door number 1, 2, or 3?
The doors we chose in life were doors we thought would allow us to have fun, to enjoy life.
When we were growing up, we turned many corners in life looking for new ways to have fun. After High School, I looked to the ways of the world. My friends smoked cigarettes and drank drinks like whiskey sours, wine coolers, or rum and coke. So I tried out their ways for a while, but I never really had fun.
In my teen years, I played tennis and spent hours talking on my ham radio. Those were fun things for me. I have not played tennis in years, but did try my hand at it again in Florida a few weeks ago. I was surprised that I could still get the ball over the net. It was still fun.
Ham Radio had been a silent hobby for years. Back in the 80's I taught classes and helped many in Rhode Island learn Morse code and get their Novice license from the FCC. Then life got busy and that hobby took a back seat. Recently I have had the time to dabble a little and it is still fun talking to someone halfway around the world.
Back to open doors. They are all around us. There are doors for us to walk through in this life that will prosper us and doors allowing us the opportunity to complete the Father's work. God uses the Holy Spirit to show us where they are.
It is a wonder every time a door opens and we are able to preach the message God has given us.
Often we miss the open doors because we are not looking for them. We are not open for the Holy Spirit to tell us. It is not His job to shout at us. It is our job to be open to Him and to use those opportunities to tell the story of Jesus in our life.
"Father, open my spiritual ears. Show me the open doors you have for me to walk through. Guide me in the natural to those things I need to prosper. And show me the work you have for me to further the Kingdom of God. In Jesus mighty name, I pray. Amen."
Monday, May 17, 2010
Live Wisely
Colossians 4:5-6
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. (NLT)
How many of us spend most of our free time involved with other Christians and one church event or another? We attend a worship service on Sunday and perhaps an evening service as well. During the week, we have small groups, committee meetings, mid-week service, and perhaps some organized outreach programs to the local food bank or soup kitchen.
On a night free from church activities, we get together for a relaxing evening with a few close friends from church. Except when we are at work during the week, almost all of our time is spent at home or with our church family.
At work, we are around the same people all the time and they are tired of us attempting to convert them. Many shy away from us after a while. They say good morning and are friendly enough about work issues, but do not try to spend any personal time with us.
How are we to reach the lost when we only hang around with Christians and we have exhausted the possibilities at work?
All week long we have opportunities, but we are unaware of them. We are wrapped up in life and all the things we have to do with job, family, and church. We all eat out at times. We stop for a coffee at Dunkin Donuts. We get gas for our car. We go to Wal-Mart, Sam's, or BJ's for weekly shopping or a local store like Kroger, Publix, or Shaws. We are around possibilities every day and let them pass us by.
How about avoiding the drive through for that fast food lunch or that cup of coffee? Park and walk inside where we can see other customers and the employees face to face. Ask God to show us the opportunities and keep our ears open. Give us the boldness to start a conversation with a stranger and give the Holy Spirit permission to fill our mouth. It is amazing what He will do.
With His help, our conversation will be gracious and effective and we will have the right word for everyone.
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. (NLT)
How many of us spend most of our free time involved with other Christians and one church event or another? We attend a worship service on Sunday and perhaps an evening service as well. During the week, we have small groups, committee meetings, mid-week service, and perhaps some organized outreach programs to the local food bank or soup kitchen.
On a night free from church activities, we get together for a relaxing evening with a few close friends from church. Except when we are at work during the week, almost all of our time is spent at home or with our church family.
At work, we are around the same people all the time and they are tired of us attempting to convert them. Many shy away from us after a while. They say good morning and are friendly enough about work issues, but do not try to spend any personal time with us.
How are we to reach the lost when we only hang around with Christians and we have exhausted the possibilities at work?
All week long we have opportunities, but we are unaware of them. We are wrapped up in life and all the things we have to do with job, family, and church. We all eat out at times. We stop for a coffee at Dunkin Donuts. We get gas for our car. We go to Wal-Mart, Sam's, or BJ's for weekly shopping or a local store like Kroger, Publix, or Shaws. We are around possibilities every day and let them pass us by.
How about avoiding the drive through for that fast food lunch or that cup of coffee? Park and walk inside where we can see other customers and the employees face to face. Ask God to show us the opportunities and keep our ears open. Give us the boldness to start a conversation with a stranger and give the Holy Spirit permission to fill our mouth. It is amazing what He will do.
With His help, our conversation will be gracious and effective and we will have the right word for everyone.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Christ Like
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)
Notice he does not tell us to wait for God to create those gifts within us. He says to clothe yourself. Does this mean we are to fake it?
As we give our lives over to God and let Him take over, we let Jesus in as the Lord of our life. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in us as believers. Paul refers to this as Christ within.
As believers, Jesus is in us and we are in Him. However, this does not mean we change. The act of believing is not a switch that turns us from being who we have grown up as in these mortal bodies to being just like Christ.
Believing and asking Jesus to be Lord gives Him permission to change us. He does this one thing at a time, but with our involvement. He shows us our evil ways and as we acknowledge them to Him and ask for His help, He takes those things away.
Others see the changes in us. They see our nature change to be more Christ like. They witness a new person coming forth out of that old body.
So what does he mean when he tells us to clothe ourselves? We knew right from wrong even before we were born again. While we are allowing God to change us, we need to be aware of our words and our actions toward others. As such, we should show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in all we do even before it is our nature to do so.
In all we do, we should be Christ. Others should see His light shine through us.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)
Notice he does not tell us to wait for God to create those gifts within us. He says to clothe yourself. Does this mean we are to fake it?
As we give our lives over to God and let Him take over, we let Jesus in as the Lord of our life. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in us as believers. Paul refers to this as Christ within.
As believers, Jesus is in us and we are in Him. However, this does not mean we change. The act of believing is not a switch that turns us from being who we have grown up as in these mortal bodies to being just like Christ.
Believing and asking Jesus to be Lord gives Him permission to change us. He does this one thing at a time, but with our involvement. He shows us our evil ways and as we acknowledge them to Him and ask for His help, He takes those things away.
Others see the changes in us. They see our nature change to be more Christ like. They witness a new person coming forth out of that old body.
So what does he mean when he tells us to clothe ourselves? We knew right from wrong even before we were born again. While we are allowing God to change us, we need to be aware of our words and our actions toward others. As such, we should show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in all we do even before it is our nature to do so.
In all we do, we should be Christ. Others should see His light shine through us.
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