Directions for Your Heart
Abstain from every form of evil
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
All week we’ve been looking at God’s map for our lives. We come to understand that God really loves us and gave His only begotten Son to die for us and give us hope. He then gave us His Word as an instruction book to follow. Our text for this study is 1 Thessalonians 5:16:22. Here Paul gives us some short, but powerful directions for how to have a good heart and live in His service. First rejoice always, pray without ceasing, be thankful in all things, do not quench the spirit, do not despise prophecies, test all things.
There is one final one I want to share with you today. It is "abstain from every form of evil," 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Christians must be willing to do the will of God and to avoid all evil. We have to do both--follow God’s word and do it His way. (John 17:17) God will provide a way to escape when temptation comes. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)
We don’t have to be guilty of sin. As a matter of fact, we should get better and better at avoiding it. We are not perfect on our own. We are justified by His blood and made perfect with Him, but we still mess up. We do foolish things, but a pure heart and a clean mind gives us strength to avoid all appearance of evil. A man will never begin to be good till he begins to avoid those occasions that have made Him bad. Paul said to avoid the very appearance of evil.
It is possible to live a life that is both holy and happy. Psalm 144:15 says, “…Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” The Lord will grant you just such a life if you will follow His directions for your heart. Christians must leave no open doors for sin to enter. Strengthen your heart and be on guard at every point! “And you will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
Let us be in that number that obeys God faithfully until death, and it will make all the difference.
~Philip
29 October 2010
28 October 2010
Directions for the Heart
Test All Things
1 Thessalonians 5:16:22
I hope you have been growing from some of the things we have been talking about this week. These, you see are directions for our heart. We have been looking at a text--1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. There Paul gives us some short but very powerful directions on how to have a good heart and a good life for God. He begins with, “rejoice always, then pray without ceasing, then in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God through Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit, do not despise prophesies, test all things, hold fast to all things that are good. Abstain from every evil thought.” We should learn from this great text. I hope we already have.
We’ve learned about rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks for everything, not quenching the spirit nor despising the prophesies , and today, since this verse builds on itself, we will talk about testing all things. Things taught by preachers and teachers must be tried by God’s law and testimony. We should be looking to make sure God’s law matches up to what the preacher says. 1 John 4:1 teaches us to do that very thing, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” When convinced from scripture that a thing is true, “hold fast what is good.”
Every Christian has the responsibility to grow in areas we are sometimes struggling with. We need to grow and grow as Christians and get better at discerning good and evil. “Everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14) Earnest searching the scriptures will settle our minds so truth and error can be recognized. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” (Revelations 2:2)
Let’s don’t be fooled any longer, test everything you hear by the Bible to see if it is so! If it is what the Bible teaches follow it with all your heart. Be serious about it. Don’t just kind of half way do it and say, “Yeah, I know that’s what the Bible says.” Instead read it for yourself, and say, “If the Bible says it, I am going to do it, and I’m going to do it to the very best of my ability.” That’s what God is looking for. He’s looking for people who are in His word , studying, rejoicing, and continuing to pray and give thanks We should be faithful in obedience to His will.
~Philip
Test All Things
1 Thessalonians 5:16:22
I hope you have been growing from some of the things we have been talking about this week. These, you see are directions for our heart. We have been looking at a text--1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. There Paul gives us some short but very powerful directions on how to have a good heart and a good life for God. He begins with, “rejoice always, then pray without ceasing, then in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God through Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit, do not despise prophesies, test all things, hold fast to all things that are good. Abstain from every evil thought.” We should learn from this great text. I hope we already have.
We’ve learned about rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks for everything, not quenching the spirit nor despising the prophesies , and today, since this verse builds on itself, we will talk about testing all things. Things taught by preachers and teachers must be tried by God’s law and testimony. We should be looking to make sure God’s law matches up to what the preacher says. 1 John 4:1 teaches us to do that very thing, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” When convinced from scripture that a thing is true, “hold fast what is good.”
Every Christian has the responsibility to grow in areas we are sometimes struggling with. We need to grow and grow as Christians and get better at discerning good and evil. “Everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14) Earnest searching the scriptures will settle our minds so truth and error can be recognized. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” (Revelations 2:2)
Let’s don’t be fooled any longer, test everything you hear by the Bible to see if it is so! If it is what the Bible teaches follow it with all your heart. Be serious about it. Don’t just kind of half way do it and say, “Yeah, I know that’s what the Bible says.” Instead read it for yourself, and say, “If the Bible says it, I am going to do it, and I’m going to do it to the very best of my ability.” That’s what God is looking for. He’s looking for people who are in His word , studying, rejoicing, and continuing to pray and give thanks We should be faithful in obedience to His will.
~Philip
27 October 2010
Directions for Your Heart
Do Not Quench the Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 19-20
This week we have been looking at directions for our heart, and we’ve already learned to rejoice always, and pray without ceasing. Added to that we are to be giving thanks in every situation of life. We are looking at the text, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. You might want to read some of the verses before and after, or maybe even begin with verse one of the chapter, because Paul is saying to us, “Look these are the directions for your heart. This is what is going to make a difference in your life, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.
The fourth thing we should do is not quench the spirit. (1 Thessalonians 16:19) The spirit is quenched as faith, hope, and love are quenched with sin. Stephen accused some of resisting the spirit. (Acts 7:51) Paul said some grieve the spirit. (Ephesians 4:30) This is done by refusing the instructions of the spirit. Like raindrops quench fire, evil thoughts, idle words, sinful deeds quench the spirit of God. In many Christians the spiritual fire is quenched because they have never stoked that fire by Bible study, meditation, prayer, self-examination, good works, kindness, love or mercy. If we really are to become what God wants us to be we have to do all those things and grow our faith.
The fifth direction for our heart is to not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). God’s grace is received as His teachings are received-- that is where we need to study. Let us never despise prophecies or the preaching of the word. Christians must prize and value the study, interpretation , and application of scriptures. If we do don’t do that we fail to believe these prophecies and we have missed out on a great opportunity to grow as a Christian. “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) Do not despise the preaching of God’s word or the one who preaches it. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) “May God bless us with ears ever open to hear His truths. Let these words sink down into your ears…” (Luke 9:44) These words need to sink deep into our hearts just like Luke says, and we will rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, not quench the spirit, and not despise prophecies. This will get us where we need to be to serve God.
~Philip
Do Not Quench the Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 19-20
This week we have been looking at directions for our heart, and we’ve already learned to rejoice always, and pray without ceasing. Added to that we are to be giving thanks in every situation of life. We are looking at the text, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. You might want to read some of the verses before and after, or maybe even begin with verse one of the chapter, because Paul is saying to us, “Look these are the directions for your heart. This is what is going to make a difference in your life, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.
The fourth thing we should do is not quench the spirit. (1 Thessalonians 16:19) The spirit is quenched as faith, hope, and love are quenched with sin. Stephen accused some of resisting the spirit. (Acts 7:51) Paul said some grieve the spirit. (Ephesians 4:30) This is done by refusing the instructions of the spirit. Like raindrops quench fire, evil thoughts, idle words, sinful deeds quench the spirit of God. In many Christians the spiritual fire is quenched because they have never stoked that fire by Bible study, meditation, prayer, self-examination, good works, kindness, love or mercy. If we really are to become what God wants us to be we have to do all those things and grow our faith.
The fifth direction for our heart is to not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). God’s grace is received as His teachings are received-- that is where we need to study. Let us never despise prophecies or the preaching of the word. Christians must prize and value the study, interpretation , and application of scriptures. If we do don’t do that we fail to believe these prophecies and we have missed out on a great opportunity to grow as a Christian. “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) Do not despise the preaching of God’s word or the one who preaches it. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) “May God bless us with ears ever open to hear His truths. Let these words sink down into your ears…” (Luke 9:44) These words need to sink deep into our hearts just like Luke says, and we will rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, not quench the spirit, and not despise prophecies. This will get us where we need to be to serve God.
~Philip
26 October 2010
Directions for Your Heart
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Pray Without Ceasing
Yesterday we began talking about some directions for the heart. We talked about directions being all around us and we are to follow those directions in God’s Word to become what God wants us to be. We are still in the same text, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. I hope you have already had the opportunity to read it. If you didn’t read it yesterday, and even if you did, go back and read it again today.
Yesterday we learned to “rejoice always”, and today we learn to “pray without ceasing”. Each exhortation connects with the ones before. “Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) Sometimes we pray when things are hard, but we ought to also pray when things are good. The way to rejoice more is to pray more. Prayer will help in any right thing you are involved with. Prayer aids in using the “Sword of the Spirit”. It aids us in the work of God.” “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:17-18)
Christians pray always because prayer is the Christian’s way to have needed things. We get whatever we ask, John writes, because we “keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22) We pray without ceasing, but it doesn’t stop there. In the next verse, 1 Thess. 5:18, it says “In everything we give thanks. Notice God’s order -- rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Thanksgiving is just a natural progression and accompanies prayer and supplication. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7, that this is the case. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks is, “the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Whatever your state of life, be thankful. That is a hard concept to understand. But we should be thankful in the bad times as well as the good times. Thanksgiving is pleasing to God. “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)
~Philip
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Pray Without Ceasing
Yesterday we began talking about some directions for the heart. We talked about directions being all around us and we are to follow those directions in God’s Word to become what God wants us to be. We are still in the same text, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. I hope you have already had the opportunity to read it. If you didn’t read it yesterday, and even if you did, go back and read it again today.
Yesterday we learned to “rejoice always”, and today we learn to “pray without ceasing”. Each exhortation connects with the ones before. “Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) Sometimes we pray when things are hard, but we ought to also pray when things are good. The way to rejoice more is to pray more. Prayer will help in any right thing you are involved with. Prayer aids in using the “Sword of the Spirit”. It aids us in the work of God.” “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:17-18)
Christians pray always because prayer is the Christian’s way to have needed things. We get whatever we ask, John writes, because we “keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22) We pray without ceasing, but it doesn’t stop there. In the next verse, 1 Thess. 5:18, it says “In everything we give thanks. Notice God’s order -- rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Thanksgiving is just a natural progression and accompanies prayer and supplication. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7, that this is the case. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks is, “the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Whatever your state of life, be thankful. That is a hard concept to understand. But we should be thankful in the bad times as well as the good times. Thanksgiving is pleasing to God. “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)
~Philip
25 October 2010
Directions for Your Heart
Rejoice Always
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Directions are everywhere. There are directions for assembling things, for repairing things, for cooking, and even for taking care of your kids. They not only come in English now, but also in other languages. I remember a few years ago our children got a trampoline for Christmas. It came in about a million pieces. I called some of my friends to come over and help assemble this trampoline, which for some reason Santa Claus didn’t assemble before he left the yard. One of these guys was an engineer for Boeing and the other was a retired Air Force guy, both very educated guys, and then there was me. We spent hours and hours trying to put that trampoline together. After we got it together we realized that something was not right, so we started taking it back apart. One of the guys says “I guess we will just have to read the directions. He started looking at the directions (this was the engineer), and he said “Some engineer must have written it--you can’t understand them.”
God has directions for our life. God in His own words gives us directions for our heart. In our text for this week, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Paul gives us some directions, short directions but powerful directions on having a good heart. He says, for example, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
We need to learn some of these lessons for the heart:
The first one is Rejoice Always, (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
We may be having hard times but we can still rejoice. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
Christianity fills our cup to overflowing. Psalms23:5 says, ”You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”
Christian life is a life of joy, peace and true contentment. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Let’s enjoy this peace, and live the life of a Christian.
Rejoice Always
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Directions are everywhere. There are directions for assembling things, for repairing things, for cooking, and even for taking care of your kids. They not only come in English now, but also in other languages. I remember a few years ago our children got a trampoline for Christmas. It came in about a million pieces. I called some of my friends to come over and help assemble this trampoline, which for some reason Santa Claus didn’t assemble before he left the yard. One of these guys was an engineer for Boeing and the other was a retired Air Force guy, both very educated guys, and then there was me. We spent hours and hours trying to put that trampoline together. After we got it together we realized that something was not right, so we started taking it back apart. One of the guys says “I guess we will just have to read the directions. He started looking at the directions (this was the engineer), and he said “Some engineer must have written it--you can’t understand them.”
God has directions for our life. God in His own words gives us directions for our heart. In our text for this week, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Paul gives us some directions, short directions but powerful directions on having a good heart. He says, for example, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
We need to learn some of these lessons for the heart:
The first one is Rejoice Always, (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
We may be having hard times but we can still rejoice. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
Christianity fills our cup to overflowing. Psalms23:5 says, ”You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”
Christian life is a life of joy, peace and true contentment. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Let’s enjoy this peace, and live the life of a Christian.
20 October 2010
In God’s Hand
1 John 4:7-12
On one of our mission trips to Belize Central America I met a guy who had a bird for a pet. This bird would sit on your shoulder or your finger and talk and do tricks for you. I was at his house one day and it was interesting to see the dog was barking at the bird. The guy immediately ran the dog away, took the bird in his hand, and soothed his ruffled feathers and told him, “It’s okay, I will protect you.”
God takes care of us as well. You know when we are in God’s hand, just like the bird in that guy’s hand, God is going to protect us and take care of all of those needs. God takes care of us today. He continually watches over us. He protects and provides for us. We are safe in God’s hand.
In the Old Testament, Psalm 139:9-10, the Bible says, “Lord, if I go east where the sun rises, you are there, if I go west where the sun sets, you are there. Even there Your right hand holds me and you lead me by the hand. What a beautiful idea. He’s got the whole world in His hands is the song that we sang as children says, and it is certainly true. He has us, and all the world in our hands and wants to protect us and love us.
Our scripture reading today is 1 John 4:7-12. There, especially in verse nine, we see Gods love for us. God sent His only son into the world to give us life through Him. Because God loves us He is willing to take care of us. I hope God will show His love for us today, and I hope we will show Him our love for Him. God says , “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.”
We will do those things God wants us to do is we truly care about God. We are in God’s hands if we allow ourselves to be. I hope you will today, do God’s will, that you will hear His Word, believe it, repent of your sins, confess your faith, and be baptized into Christ, then live the rest of your life faithfully obeying His will.
~Philip
1 John 4:7-12
On one of our mission trips to Belize Central America I met a guy who had a bird for a pet. This bird would sit on your shoulder or your finger and talk and do tricks for you. I was at his house one day and it was interesting to see the dog was barking at the bird. The guy immediately ran the dog away, took the bird in his hand, and soothed his ruffled feathers and told him, “It’s okay, I will protect you.”
God takes care of us as well. You know when we are in God’s hand, just like the bird in that guy’s hand, God is going to protect us and take care of all of those needs. God takes care of us today. He continually watches over us. He protects and provides for us. We are safe in God’s hand.
In the Old Testament, Psalm 139:9-10, the Bible says, “Lord, if I go east where the sun rises, you are there, if I go west where the sun sets, you are there. Even there Your right hand holds me and you lead me by the hand. What a beautiful idea. He’s got the whole world in His hands is the song that we sang as children says, and it is certainly true. He has us, and all the world in our hands and wants to protect us and love us.
Our scripture reading today is 1 John 4:7-12. There, especially in verse nine, we see Gods love for us. God sent His only son into the world to give us life through Him. Because God loves us He is willing to take care of us. I hope God will show His love for us today, and I hope we will show Him our love for Him. God says , “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.”
We will do those things God wants us to do is we truly care about God. We are in God’s hands if we allow ourselves to be. I hope you will today, do God’s will, that you will hear His Word, believe it, repent of your sins, confess your faith, and be baptized into Christ, then live the rest of your life faithfully obeying His will.
~Philip
18 October 2010
Heart and Soul
Deut 26:16-19
The very first verse of our Bible reading for today says, “Today the Lord your God commands you to obey all these laws and rules. Be careful to follow them with all your heart and your soul.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19 is our Bible reading today, by the way. When I first read this verse I thought it was a pretty tough thing to tell these folks of old. They had all those laws to keep. How could I possibly keep all His rules and all His laws, after all I am human. I make mistakes. For many of us we say, “Yeah, I make mistakes, many of them continually.” We are working on that and trying to get better and better, or at least we should be.
Then we read a few chapters later in that same book, chapter 31, verse 6, that God says to Joshua, “The Lord your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.” What a beautiful idea. God is always there to help me. He’s not going to leave me alone.” When I read this I realized that I could do my very best to obey God, and God would be pleased with that. He would take care of the rest. It is my responsibility to do the very best I can.
Then as an individual I look and say, “Is what I’m doing now right with God? Is there something that I need to change? Is there an area I need to work on? Then I realize as I’m working and getting better at doing this. God is there supporting me along the way. Of course, this takes some very honest looking at ourselves. Sometimes when we look at ourselves and think of all the things we have done--all those bad things, the wrong things we’ve done over and over again. We think to ourselves, “How is it that God can even forgive me and continue to love me?” Because He created you to love you and take care of you, and for you to love Him back. The question then becomes, “What about me--what about you?” Maybe you think that you can’t obey God. Maybe you think you can’t do it alone. You are right in thinking that you can’t do it alone, but with God’s help you can.
We should trust Him today to lead us in the way we need to go. We need to put ourselves in God’s hands and say, “God, I am here with You and I know You are with me.” The Lord has said, “You must obey my commandments.” Today, right in our scripture it says so.” But in all of that God will not fail you or leave you. Trust in God today by putting Him first, and walking by faith and not by sight.
~Philip
Deut 26:16-19
The very first verse of our Bible reading for today says, “Today the Lord your God commands you to obey all these laws and rules. Be careful to follow them with all your heart and your soul.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19 is our Bible reading today, by the way. When I first read this verse I thought it was a pretty tough thing to tell these folks of old. They had all those laws to keep. How could I possibly keep all His rules and all His laws, after all I am human. I make mistakes. For many of us we say, “Yeah, I make mistakes, many of them continually.” We are working on that and trying to get better and better, or at least we should be.
Then we read a few chapters later in that same book, chapter 31, verse 6, that God says to Joshua, “The Lord your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.” What a beautiful idea. God is always there to help me. He’s not going to leave me alone.” When I read this I realized that I could do my very best to obey God, and God would be pleased with that. He would take care of the rest. It is my responsibility to do the very best I can.
Then as an individual I look and say, “Is what I’m doing now right with God? Is there something that I need to change? Is there an area I need to work on? Then I realize as I’m working and getting better at doing this. God is there supporting me along the way. Of course, this takes some very honest looking at ourselves. Sometimes when we look at ourselves and think of all the things we have done--all those bad things, the wrong things we’ve done over and over again. We think to ourselves, “How is it that God can even forgive me and continue to love me?” Because He created you to love you and take care of you, and for you to love Him back. The question then becomes, “What about me--what about you?” Maybe you think that you can’t obey God. Maybe you think you can’t do it alone. You are right in thinking that you can’t do it alone, but with God’s help you can.
We should trust Him today to lead us in the way we need to go. We need to put ourselves in God’s hands and say, “God, I am here with You and I know You are with me.” The Lord has said, “You must obey my commandments.” Today, right in our scripture it says so.” But in all of that God will not fail you or leave you. Trust in God today by putting Him first, and walking by faith and not by sight.
~Philip
15 October 2010
Be Humble
Philippians 2:5-11
A few years ago I was in an airport waiting with a mission group to go to South America. As we waited, this young, big guy came through a line where we were. He and his girlfriend pushed their way ahead of everyone else knocking people aside as they pushed. They acted as if they were entitled and expected everyone to cater to them without apology. He was very rude and very proud he was who he said he was. I guessed he was maybe a part of a professional football team. Everyone around us was asking, ”Do you know who that is?” His actions were very hurtful.
The Bible reading for today teaches us we are to be humble just like Jesus. Jesus is God’s Son and is more important than anyone on earth. He is more important than any celebrity. Jesus was humble and he obeyed God. He was willing to come to earth to be mocked, to be beaten, and to be killed on the cross for us. God wants us to be humble and obedient just like that.
Our Bible reading comes from Philippians 2:5-11. Again, I encourage you to read your Bible. I know, years ago at church sometimes they would ask everyone to raise their hand who had read their Bible every day that week. We should all become Bible readers. Our faith grows that way, and it helps us to grow more and more humble. That is what our scripture reading is about today--about the importance of living our lives so that we will be pleasing to God. God wants Him to be the most important thing in our lives. I know a man who won a “Humility Pin” in his church. They gave him this honor and he was exciting to have it. Then they took it back the very next Sunday because he wore it. We have to be careful to keep ourselves in check. Always remember that Jesus loves us and died for us. That he wants to be with us for all of eternity. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5 says. Let’s do that today. Let us try to be like Jesus Christ.
~Philip
Philippians 2:5-11
A few years ago I was in an airport waiting with a mission group to go to South America. As we waited, this young, big guy came through a line where we were. He and his girlfriend pushed their way ahead of everyone else knocking people aside as they pushed. They acted as if they were entitled and expected everyone to cater to them without apology. He was very rude and very proud he was who he said he was. I guessed he was maybe a part of a professional football team. Everyone around us was asking, ”Do you know who that is?” His actions were very hurtful.
The Bible reading for today teaches us we are to be humble just like Jesus. Jesus is God’s Son and is more important than anyone on earth. He is more important than any celebrity. Jesus was humble and he obeyed God. He was willing to come to earth to be mocked, to be beaten, and to be killed on the cross for us. God wants us to be humble and obedient just like that.
Our Bible reading comes from Philippians 2:5-11. Again, I encourage you to read your Bible. I know, years ago at church sometimes they would ask everyone to raise their hand who had read their Bible every day that week. We should all become Bible readers. Our faith grows that way, and it helps us to grow more and more humble. That is what our scripture reading is about today--about the importance of living our lives so that we will be pleasing to God. God wants Him to be the most important thing in our lives. I know a man who won a “Humility Pin” in his church. They gave him this honor and he was exciting to have it. Then they took it back the very next Sunday because he wore it. We have to be careful to keep ourselves in check. Always remember that Jesus loves us and died for us. That he wants to be with us for all of eternity. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5 says. Let’s do that today. Let us try to be like Jesus Christ.
~Philip
14 October 2010
Keep On Trying
Philippians 31:12-21
Our Bible reading today encourages us to keep on trying. By the way, I hope you are reading the verses every day. It will increase your faith--faith grows that way. The Bible tells us “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
The scripture comes from Philippians 3:12-21, and Paul is talking about reaching a goal. That goal is trying to be the kind of people God wants us to be. The question is, are we really trying to reach that goal? Revelation says if we are living faithfully we will be given a crown of life after this life is over. This means if we are faithful and trying to obey His will He will give us life forever with Him when this life is over. None of us are perfect the Bible teaches. “All of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” With that in mind, sometimes with heavy hearts, we think “I don’t know that God can ever forgive,” but the fact is God can and wants to forgive us.
Others, if they are God like, will be what God wants us to be and will forgive and let us continue to grow even through bad experiences. We have to have a goal to stay focused on, Ephesians 3:12 suggests. It says I don’t mean that I am like God wants me to be. I have not reached that goal, but I have continued to try to reach the goal. When this day is over I can say I have tried. “
~Philip
Philippians 31:12-21
Our Bible reading today encourages us to keep on trying. By the way, I hope you are reading the verses every day. It will increase your faith--faith grows that way. The Bible tells us “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
The scripture comes from Philippians 3:12-21, and Paul is talking about reaching a goal. That goal is trying to be the kind of people God wants us to be. The question is, are we really trying to reach that goal? Revelation says if we are living faithfully we will be given a crown of life after this life is over. This means if we are faithful and trying to obey His will He will give us life forever with Him when this life is over. None of us are perfect the Bible teaches. “All of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” With that in mind, sometimes with heavy hearts, we think “I don’t know that God can ever forgive,” but the fact is God can and wants to forgive us.
Others, if they are God like, will be what God wants us to be and will forgive and let us continue to grow even through bad experiences. We have to have a goal to stay focused on, Ephesians 3:12 suggests. It says I don’t mean that I am like God wants me to be. I have not reached that goal, but I have continued to try to reach the goal. When this day is over I can say I have tried. “
~Philip
08 October 2010
It May Take Several Months
Acts 19:1-10 At 19:8
We have been talking about things that took several months to happen. In today’s scripture reading, Acts 19:1-10, Paul went into the city of Ephesus. There he found some people who loved and worshipped God. Paul helped these people to learn about Jesus, and he went into the synagogue there and tried to persuade the people to believe in Jesus. He preached there, the Bible says, for three months. Some of those Jewish people did accept, but others did not accept Paul’s message.
It didn’t stop Paul from preaching the word. Paul continued to tell people about Jesus. As a matter of fact in verse 10 of our scripture reading, the Bible says, “Because of this work every Jew and Greek (those folks of course were none Jewish people) heard the word of the Lord.” What a great thing to be said of you. It may take months for this to happen, but what about us. Could over the course of several months could you at least tell your family and friends the message of Jesus Christ?
Paul was willing to tell everyone about Jesus even the ones who did not accept the things he said. He was faithful, consistent and willing to persevere under all odds. He did not give up. Later many people did become Christians because Paul was will to stand up. Maybe you have tried telling your family and friends about Jesus but they didn’t accept what you said before. Let me encourage you again not to give up--just keep trying. Some will reject but others will be persuaded to become followers of Jesus because of your willingness to teach.
The Bible says Paul went into the synagogue and spoke very boldly, and he continued doing this for three months.( Acts 19-8) What if we did it for a little time, what if we did it for just three minutes or three days with somebody? Start somewhere and then keep going. Use the time God gives wisely. The Bible says we have a responsibility to redeem the time. In other words use the time and not waste it or discard it but to use that time to persuade others to believe in Jesus Christ. Tell them they have to hear Gods Word, believe it, confess their faith, and be baptized. Then they need to continue to live faithfully by coming to church, by studying the Bible for themselves, by giving of their time, talent and treasures each day.
Come be with us--our service times on Sunday are 9am for Bible Classes for all ages,10am for Worship Service, an 5pm for Evening Worship. Our Website is www.elbachurchofchrist.com . We have information there about the 10th Annual Wiregrass Area Wide Lectureship which we are hosting this year.
~Philip
Acts 19:1-10 At 19:8
We have been talking about things that took several months to happen. In today’s scripture reading, Acts 19:1-10, Paul went into the city of Ephesus. There he found some people who loved and worshipped God. Paul helped these people to learn about Jesus, and he went into the synagogue there and tried to persuade the people to believe in Jesus. He preached there, the Bible says, for three months. Some of those Jewish people did accept, but others did not accept Paul’s message.
It didn’t stop Paul from preaching the word. Paul continued to tell people about Jesus. As a matter of fact in verse 10 of our scripture reading, the Bible says, “Because of this work every Jew and Greek (those folks of course were none Jewish people) heard the word of the Lord.” What a great thing to be said of you. It may take months for this to happen, but what about us. Could over the course of several months could you at least tell your family and friends the message of Jesus Christ?
Paul was willing to tell everyone about Jesus even the ones who did not accept the things he said. He was faithful, consistent and willing to persevere under all odds. He did not give up. Later many people did become Christians because Paul was will to stand up. Maybe you have tried telling your family and friends about Jesus but they didn’t accept what you said before. Let me encourage you again not to give up--just keep trying. Some will reject but others will be persuaded to become followers of Jesus because of your willingness to teach.
The Bible says Paul went into the synagogue and spoke very boldly, and he continued doing this for three months.( Acts 19-8) What if we did it for a little time, what if we did it for just three minutes or three days with somebody? Start somewhere and then keep going. Use the time God gives wisely. The Bible says we have a responsibility to redeem the time. In other words use the time and not waste it or discard it but to use that time to persuade others to believe in Jesus Christ. Tell them they have to hear Gods Word, believe it, confess their faith, and be baptized. Then they need to continue to live faithfully by coming to church, by studying the Bible for themselves, by giving of their time, talent and treasures each day.
Come be with us--our service times on Sunday are 9am for Bible Classes for all ages,10am for Worship Service, an 5pm for Evening Worship. Our Website is www.elbachurchofchrist.com . We have information there about the 10th Annual Wiregrass Area Wide Lectureship which we are hosting this year.
~Philip
07 October 2010
Several Months
Luke 1:26-38
We’ve been talking about things that may take several months to happen. One of the great stories of the Bible is about a guy named Zacharias and his wife. They did not have any children. Our Bible reading comes from Luke 1:26-38. In verse seven the Bible says that Elizabeth could not have any babies and this made them very sad. God sent an angel to tell Zacharias that he would have a son. He even told him what that son’s name would be. Because of doubt Zacharias, who was a priest, was made mute--he couldn’t talk for all the months that Elizabeth was expecting her baby. Mary was her cousin and an angel came to her too and told her she would have a baby. Of course her son was Jesus the son of God. The angel also told her that her relative Elizabeth was going to have a baby, that she was old, but she was six months pregnant. Everybody thought it couldn’t happen but God made it possible. God blessed Elizabeth and Mary in a very special way.
Elizabeth’s son John grew up to be a great forerunner for Jesus. He went around preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Then Mary’s son Jesus would grow up to die on the cross for you and for me. This was part of God’s plan, his plan for our salvation. How can God make all this happen? Verse thirty-seven of our scripture reading says,”God can do anything.” That was certainly the case. He can use months to teach people a great lesson. In fact, when the baby was born he still could not talk and they asked him what the name of the baby should be. They wanted to name it after his father or some relative. Zacharias wrote “No” on a piece of paper-- that his name should be John. After that his tongue was loosened and he could talk again.
For all those months Mary waited to see what the Son of God would be. We know this -- that God uses time to develop people and to make them what He wants them to be if we will allow God to control our lives. Luke 1:25, says, “Look what God has done for me. He has helped me to have this baby.” Let’s look to God to encourage us to become one of His people.
Come be with us at the Elba Church of Christ.
~Philip
Luke 1:26-38
We’ve been talking about things that may take several months to happen. One of the great stories of the Bible is about a guy named Zacharias and his wife. They did not have any children. Our Bible reading comes from Luke 1:26-38. In verse seven the Bible says that Elizabeth could not have any babies and this made them very sad. God sent an angel to tell Zacharias that he would have a son. He even told him what that son’s name would be. Because of doubt Zacharias, who was a priest, was made mute--he couldn’t talk for all the months that Elizabeth was expecting her baby. Mary was her cousin and an angel came to her too and told her she would have a baby. Of course her son was Jesus the son of God. The angel also told her that her relative Elizabeth was going to have a baby, that she was old, but she was six months pregnant. Everybody thought it couldn’t happen but God made it possible. God blessed Elizabeth and Mary in a very special way.
Elizabeth’s son John grew up to be a great forerunner for Jesus. He went around preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Then Mary’s son Jesus would grow up to die on the cross for you and for me. This was part of God’s plan, his plan for our salvation. How can God make all this happen? Verse thirty-seven of our scripture reading says,”God can do anything.” That was certainly the case. He can use months to teach people a great lesson. In fact, when the baby was born he still could not talk and they asked him what the name of the baby should be. They wanted to name it after his father or some relative. Zacharias wrote “No” on a piece of paper-- that his name should be John. After that his tongue was loosened and he could talk again.
For all those months Mary waited to see what the Son of God would be. We know this -- that God uses time to develop people and to make them what He wants them to be if we will allow God to control our lives. Luke 1:25, says, “Look what God has done for me. He has helped me to have this baby.” Let’s look to God to encourage us to become one of His people.
Come be with us at the Elba Church of Christ.
~Philip
06 October 2010
Sometimes It Takes Months
Exodus 2:1-10
Over the course of this year we have talked about several subjects. One of the subjects we talked about was “Days”. For example, Creation: On one day He created the heavens and the earth, and on one day He created all the animals. We looked at those ideas of days in the Bible.
Over the next few days I want to look at the idea of months , several months for things to happen. Sometimes God uses months for plans to develop. That is the case of our story today. If you are reading your Bible, as I hope you are, please turn to Exodus 2:1-10. In that reading Moses was a baby. In that story Moses’ mother hid him away. Why? Because the Egyptian king wanted to kill all the boy babies. He thought the Israelite population was growing too big. There were already many of them and he thought that soon they would have an army of their own and it would be bigger than the king’s army. His solution to stop the growth was to kill all the baby boys born at that time.
As baby Moses grew, his mother kept him hidden, but he became more and more difficult to hide. After about three months the Bible says Moses’ mother did what we famously know--she put the baby Moses in a basket in the river-- the King’s daughter found him and took him to raise as her own son. When Moses grew up he took the Israelites out of slavery and brought them to the new land, the promised land. God gave him the special law, and Moses did all the things a person does as a leader.
God was using a time period that many would consider a long time--three months for Moses to wind up in the right place where he could grow up around the greatest leader of his time and learn about leadership so that later on he could be a great leader himself, maybe the greatest leader of all time. He led God’s people. God helped Moses’ mother save him from the king.
God will help you grow and to have the best life possible now, and of course, for all of eternity. Maybe the challenge today would be to ask God to help you grow and become what you need to be,
even if it takes months for it to happen. Keep depending on God to help you. If you are taking time to find God and to see God, one good place to do that is coming to our Bible Classes at 7pm on Wednesday evening . There is also a Men’s Bible Class every Wednesday morning at 6:30am. Come and be with us.
Sunday Class is at 9am, Worship at 10am, Evening Worship at 5pm.
~Philip
Exodus 2:1-10
Over the course of this year we have talked about several subjects. One of the subjects we talked about was “Days”. For example, Creation: On one day He created the heavens and the earth, and on one day He created all the animals. We looked at those ideas of days in the Bible.
Over the next few days I want to look at the idea of months , several months for things to happen. Sometimes God uses months for plans to develop. That is the case of our story today. If you are reading your Bible, as I hope you are, please turn to Exodus 2:1-10. In that reading Moses was a baby. In that story Moses’ mother hid him away. Why? Because the Egyptian king wanted to kill all the boy babies. He thought the Israelite population was growing too big. There were already many of them and he thought that soon they would have an army of their own and it would be bigger than the king’s army. His solution to stop the growth was to kill all the baby boys born at that time.
As baby Moses grew, his mother kept him hidden, but he became more and more difficult to hide. After about three months the Bible says Moses’ mother did what we famously know--she put the baby Moses in a basket in the river-- the King’s daughter found him and took him to raise as her own son. When Moses grew up he took the Israelites out of slavery and brought them to the new land, the promised land. God gave him the special law, and Moses did all the things a person does as a leader.
God was using a time period that many would consider a long time--three months for Moses to wind up in the right place where he could grow up around the greatest leader of his time and learn about leadership so that later on he could be a great leader himself, maybe the greatest leader of all time. He led God’s people. God helped Moses’ mother save him from the king.
God will help you grow and to have the best life possible now, and of course, for all of eternity. Maybe the challenge today would be to ask God to help you grow and become what you need to be,
even if it takes months for it to happen. Keep depending on God to help you. If you are taking time to find God and to see God, one good place to do that is coming to our Bible Classes at 7pm on Wednesday evening . There is also a Men’s Bible Class every Wednesday morning at 6:30am. Come and be with us.
Sunday Class is at 9am, Worship at 10am, Evening Worship at 5pm.
~Philip
05 October 2010
God’s Plan
John 19:16-37
I have three children whom I love very much. God had only one Son whose name was Jesus whom He loved very much. But God was willing to send His Son to die on the cross. Why? So you and I could have our sins forgiven. That was really God’s plan wasn’t it. That was the plan of the Bible, really, from the beginning, where the Bible tells us how we got into this quagmire of sin. Then the rest of the Bible tells us how to get out of the mess that we got into. We see Jesus being the central theme of the Bible.
Our scripture reading today, John 19:16-37, tells us that Jesus died for us. That Bible reading tells us that Jesus suffered many things before he died. He was beaten, he was spit upon, he was nailed to a cross. These things he went through were terribly hard and must have been so sad for God to watch as Jesus suffered and took on the sins of all of us. Since God has nothing to do with sin He had to turn His face from His own son. Jesus said, “Why has thou forsaken me?”, knowing He was bearing the sins of the world for each of us.
The good news is that after Jesus died that was not the end of it. He didn’t stay dead He came alive. That could only happen, of course, from God’s power. Because Jesus rose from the dead we can live after we die. We can forever with God. What an amazing thing! God’s plan of salvation through Jesus is so wonderful for each of us. I hope you have already decided that Jesus is your Savior, and that you will do what God wants you to do. If not, let me encourage you to read God’s plan from His Word, the Bible. Don’t take my word for it, or anybody elses. Take God’s for it. As read we will see that God wants us to hear His Word, Romans 10:17, to believe it, Mark 16:15-16, to repent of our sins, Acts 2:38, confess our faith, Matthew 10:32, and finally he wants us to be baptized into Christ, a couple of verses we have already given you tell us that we should be baptized, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, There are many other places in our Bible that say we should put Him on in baptism, for example, in Acts 22:16, Here’s Paul, a guy who at the time was named Saul, was going through a big change in his life. He was already believing and had repented, and waiting to what God told him to do, and He said, “Arise, and be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord.” It is in that plan our hope can be secured. We need to make the decision to love Him, and to follow Him and do faithful obedience to His Will. The Good News of the gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul says I have told you the important stuff. He was crucified, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day.
~Philip
John 19:16-37
I have three children whom I love very much. God had only one Son whose name was Jesus whom He loved very much. But God was willing to send His Son to die on the cross. Why? So you and I could have our sins forgiven. That was really God’s plan wasn’t it. That was the plan of the Bible, really, from the beginning, where the Bible tells us how we got into this quagmire of sin. Then the rest of the Bible tells us how to get out of the mess that we got into. We see Jesus being the central theme of the Bible.
Our scripture reading today, John 19:16-37, tells us that Jesus died for us. That Bible reading tells us that Jesus suffered many things before he died. He was beaten, he was spit upon, he was nailed to a cross. These things he went through were terribly hard and must have been so sad for God to watch as Jesus suffered and took on the sins of all of us. Since God has nothing to do with sin He had to turn His face from His own son. Jesus said, “Why has thou forsaken me?”, knowing He was bearing the sins of the world for each of us.
The good news is that after Jesus died that was not the end of it. He didn’t stay dead He came alive. That could only happen, of course, from God’s power. Because Jesus rose from the dead we can live after we die. We can forever with God. What an amazing thing! God’s plan of salvation through Jesus is so wonderful for each of us. I hope you have already decided that Jesus is your Savior, and that you will do what God wants you to do. If not, let me encourage you to read God’s plan from His Word, the Bible. Don’t take my word for it, or anybody elses. Take God’s for it. As read we will see that God wants us to hear His Word, Romans 10:17, to believe it, Mark 16:15-16, to repent of our sins, Acts 2:38, confess our faith, Matthew 10:32, and finally he wants us to be baptized into Christ, a couple of verses we have already given you tell us that we should be baptized, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, There are many other places in our Bible that say we should put Him on in baptism, for example, in Acts 22:16, Here’s Paul, a guy who at the time was named Saul, was going through a big change in his life. He was already believing and had repented, and waiting to what God told him to do, and He said, “Arise, and be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord.” It is in that plan our hope can be secured. We need to make the decision to love Him, and to follow Him and do faithful obedience to His Will. The Good News of the gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul says I have told you the important stuff. He was crucified, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day.
~Philip
01 October 2010
Beyond the Sunset
Ecclesiastes 1:1-9
A man named Virgil P. Brock wrote a beautiful song entitled “ Beyond the Sunset.” This song encourages people who are facing death and it tells people who are still alive that there is hope after death or after the sunset. It tells of a place after death and that place is called heaven. A lot of people are sick and dying, and we’ve all heard it said that the death rate is 100%.
Other people think they have no hope after life, but that is not the case for Christians. We have great joy to come after this life. As a matter of fact, the Bible says we should look forward to a time when our life here on earth is finished and we can live forever with Jesus in heaven in God’s presence worshiping Him and praising Him. Our scripture reading today is Ecclesiastes 1:1-9, a text that would encourage us to look forward to heaven. But we are alive right now and we need to be trying every day to be like Jesus. That will give us confidence that God is still there when bad things happen to us. It will give us the strength that when temptation gets the best of us we can overcome despite our weaknesses if we can trust in God. We will then want to seek the joy that comes after death and when we see that sun going down we can be encouraged again to think about what will happen--that we will share eternity with Jesus in heaven.
I hope we are doing what it takes to go to heaven when this life is over, that we are doing what it takes to get that prize, the prize that is mentioned over and over again in the Bible that is ours because of God’s calling me through Christ Jesus and to this life above, Philippians 3:14. I hope that we are thinking about working towards that day when we will spend eternity there. The question really is for us beyond the sunset, after our death will we get to go to heaven? I hope we will and when we are there we will have gotten there because of our faithful obedience to God’s will. We will have heard what He said, believed in it, applied the things he taught us to do by repenting of our sins, confessing our faith, and being baptized into Christ. We will have been faithful to the very best of our abilities every day of our lives, giving of our time, talents, and treasures, by attending churches services regularly, by teaching other people, and studying the Bible for ourselves. What about you? Are you preparing for the sunset when your life on earth is over?
~Philip
Ecclesiastes 1:1-9
A man named Virgil P. Brock wrote a beautiful song entitled “ Beyond the Sunset.” This song encourages people who are facing death and it tells people who are still alive that there is hope after death or after the sunset. It tells of a place after death and that place is called heaven. A lot of people are sick and dying, and we’ve all heard it said that the death rate is 100%.
Other people think they have no hope after life, but that is not the case for Christians. We have great joy to come after this life. As a matter of fact, the Bible says we should look forward to a time when our life here on earth is finished and we can live forever with Jesus in heaven in God’s presence worshiping Him and praising Him. Our scripture reading today is Ecclesiastes 1:1-9, a text that would encourage us to look forward to heaven. But we are alive right now and we need to be trying every day to be like Jesus. That will give us confidence that God is still there when bad things happen to us. It will give us the strength that when temptation gets the best of us we can overcome despite our weaknesses if we can trust in God. We will then want to seek the joy that comes after death and when we see that sun going down we can be encouraged again to think about what will happen--that we will share eternity with Jesus in heaven.
I hope we are doing what it takes to go to heaven when this life is over, that we are doing what it takes to get that prize, the prize that is mentioned over and over again in the Bible that is ours because of God’s calling me through Christ Jesus and to this life above, Philippians 3:14. I hope that we are thinking about working towards that day when we will spend eternity there. The question really is for us beyond the sunset, after our death will we get to go to heaven? I hope we will and when we are there we will have gotten there because of our faithful obedience to God’s will. We will have heard what He said, believed in it, applied the things he taught us to do by repenting of our sins, confessing our faith, and being baptized into Christ. We will have been faithful to the very best of our abilities every day of our lives, giving of our time, talents, and treasures, by attending churches services regularly, by teaching other people, and studying the Bible for ourselves. What about you? Are you preparing for the sunset when your life on earth is over?
~Philip
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