Category: Encouragement

Daily Devotion: How To Pray & Read The Bible Every Day for Christians

8/18/2013

Are you the type of Christian who loves God but doesn't regularly pray and/or read the Bible on your own? It's something you do along with others at church, but it's not part of your daily life? If so, take heart! This isn't a guilt trip blog post, but a reality check with a few helpful tips.

I've been there and have to admit sometimes I still let my everyday priorities get out of whack!

I don't think we need to be sold on the benefits of a daily devotion to prayer and Bible reading. What we need is a way to make them part of our daily life. A way that works for each of us personally. Allow me to offer a few ideas that have helped me to be more consistently in the word and prayer.

Perspective. Way too often I think of prayer as some service I do for God like a favor. The opposite is much more true. Prayer is deliberate communication with the Lord. It's how we acknowledge him in all our ways so he can direct our paths. If we don't remain connected to him through prayer and interaction with his word, we will not have his mind. We'll have our carnal, fleshy, wicked mind...

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

Position. The Bible doesn't make any one position (kneeling, bowing, etc., ) a requirement. I remember in a prayer meeting years ago, a fellow minister regularly walked around the room and prayed. That was new to me, but soon I was doing it. I found it particularly helpful during early morning prayer! Don't be bound by the idea that one physical position is more “holy” than others. God is more interested in the position of our heart then the position of our bodies.

There are times when kneeling is absolutely the right way to approach our God. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and honor him as The Almighty God who has no equal. There is none beside him; No one above him. He is our friend, but he is also our King.

Time of Day. Starting the day with prayer is always a good thing, but what if you're not a morning person? Since the Bible doesn't stipulate any one time of day over another for prayer, we shouldn't either. Some of us are sharp in the morning, while others are night owls. You might be at your best during a midday work break. No matter the time of day, be realistic with who you are and make an appointment with the Lord when you're most fresh.

Prayer Length. Here's a question for you: Who is going to be more physically fit: the person who works out ten minutes a day everyday, or the person who exercises for an hour once a week?

The Bible doesn't command us to pray for a certain amount of time, but our love for God should motivate us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). If you're like me, you've set some unrealistic prayer goals for yourself only to fall short and feel guilty. How about we do something very different. Let's lay a foundation of some ultra-realistic goals that are simple to reach and build from there. Consider this: The person who prays 10 minutes a day for 7 days will have prayed longer than the person who prays for an hour once a week. The same goes for Bible reading. I agree that it's the quality and not the quantity of time that's important, but most of us have neither. Look at this as a place to start.

Tools. For Bible reading, I use the One-Year Bible (KJV) by Tyndale House Publishers. Everyday I get portion of the OT, NT, Psalms and Proverbs. It's all in one book and at the end of the year, I've read through the whole Bible. For about the last 15 years, the One-Year Bible and coffee is how I've started my mornings.

If a Bible reading chart works for you, great. Use it! If you'd prefer to take a book of the Bible and get into it, do that! Whatever tool or plan works for you, use it to help you stay in the Bible daily.

For Prayer, I'm going to suggest a timer. (A timer?) We can do almost anything for 10 minutes, can't we? But how often have we said or thought, “I don't have time to pray.” I think there's something about us psychologically that needs to know how long something is going to last before we commit. "2 hours, are you kidding??? 10 minutes? Okay, I can do that."

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Using an ultra-realistic strategy, I suggest setting a timer for 10 minutes, then turning our attention to heaven. If regular prayer is completely new, then set it for 5 minutes for a whole week, then bump it up to 10 minutes.

Try this: Start by praying the scriptures. Open your KJV Bible to Psalm 103 and read out loud of the praises to God and the promises from God. Then confess any sins, seek forgiveness, make your requests known, praise the Lord for his goodness, then be still and listen. Prayer is 2-way communication. Give him time to speak. You will be amazed just how fast 5 or 10 minutes passes. You'll soon find that the timer will go off, but you won't be done. 10 minutes will become an effortless 15 minutes or more a day and your relationship with Christ will deepen dramatically. In his presence, you'll discover greater peace in your life while hearing his voice more frequently throughout the day.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11)

Have ideas for daily devotion, prayer and Bible reading? Share them in the comments below!

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Do You Matter? The Answer May Surprise You!

2/26/2012

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Feeling unappreciated? Are you discouraged about where you are in life? Does the rapid decline of America fill you with a sense of hopelessness?

Rude Awakening #14: Everyone feels this way now and then.

Remember Elijah? He was so discouraged he asked God to take is life – and this happened right after fire fell from heaven in answer to Elijah's prayer on mount Carmel! (1 Kings 18-19).

And let's not forget that Jesus called out from the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

It's important to remember that these feelings will probably pass soon. But maybe we should take a look at why we're feeling this way. David wrote in Psalms 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

David reminded himself to hope in God! Our God is mighty, faithful and true. Nothing, and no one compares to him! His promises are real! He is worthy of our trust, and worthy of all of our hope. When we lose sight of his greatness, our problems look bigger than they really are.

How are things between us and God? Have we strayed from regular prayer and time alone with him in his word?

The times I'm most down and feeling that I don't matter, stem from a lack of praising God and time in prayer. I get so easily distracted, putting trivial things ahead of what's really important. Prayer takes a back seat, and soon I feel like I'm in the trunk next to the spare tire. That's a lousy place to be on this great road trip of life. Yuck!

Don't Travel The Road of Life In The Trunk!

A soul that continues this way could eventually lose all hope and become bitter. The list of spiritual and physical side effects that accompany bitterness would last longer than a prescription drug commercial. Let's not go there, shall we? Instead, let's hope in God!

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Sometimes we bring discouragement onto ourselves because we try to do everything our way, in our own strength, without seeking the Lord. It's easy to do. But let's consider this option instead...

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Do I matter?” we ask. We matter so much that Almighty God is willing and desirous to

exalt us in due time if we humble ourselves under his might hand;
take on our care for he careth for us;
and direct our paths if we'll trust in him with all our heart.

Jesus Christ didn't only come to earth to die on a cross for our sins. He came to give us life, and that more abundantly. Discouragement, disappointments, and even the end of the world are just part of this life. But let's keep things in perspective...

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Psalm 103 is one of my favorites. The first 14 verses are especially uplifting. As soon as you can read those verses out loud to yourself from the King James Version. You can't read that passage without feeling loved and appreciated.

You do matter! Your life does count! Encourage yourself in God today and RSVP to this great invitation personally addressed to each of us...

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Thanks for sharing this with others!

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How To Get Revelation

8/17/2011

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God doesn't throw revelation out to just anyone. Psalms 25:14 says, The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. He reserves deep truths for those who have the right heart toward him. Consider this observation from Jesus when he told the parable of the sower...

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:15)

Contrast that heart with this one...

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)

If I have an open heart, I'll hear the word, understand it, and my life will bear fruit!

So here's the real question: Am I open to hear, or do I think I know it all and can't be taught anything else? Do I have a teachable spirit?

I'm convinced that sometimes God purposely uses unexpected ways and unlikely people to share great and deep truths with us. To hear, we might have to humble ourselves or let go of preconceived ideas. If we're too hung up on the messenger, we could miss a great blessing - just ask Naaman about that (2 Kings 5).

How To Get Revelation

First, the word of God is truth (John 17:17), and we must never deviate, add to or take away from the scriptures.

Secondly, don't forget that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. We need the Holy Ghost to be led in to all truth (John 16:13) and keep in mind that God's Spirit will never go against God's Word. Jesus told his disciples not to start preaching until they received the Holy Ghost! (Acts 1-2)

Third, truth has always been there, but our understanding of truth may need ongoing development. Peter wrote, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...” (2 Peter 3:18). Growing means there's more to learn.

Church should be the perfect setting for interactive teaching and open discussions that lead to growth and revelation in the word. Allow me to use a simple beach ball to illustrate how to get revelation...

Different Sides of Truth

Everyone of us approaches truth from a different angle based on how we've been taught, personal experiences, relationship with God, etc. Let's imagine we're looking at a beach ball for the very first time. From my angle, I see something round with blue, white, and yellow stripes. Someone else from a different angle agrees that it's round, but disagrees with the yellow and blue. "It's just red and white! No blue or yellow at all!

Some will end fellowship right there because of disagreement. But if we can agree to stay in the word and try to understand each other, we might come to realize that we both lack the 3-dimensional perspective. What we know individually is good and right, but incomplete. If we can reason together, forebear with one another, discuss it, and pray about it, we'll both get a more perfect understanding. This might take more than one discussion.

Later we'll meet someone else with even more understanding, and they'll blow us away by explaining how this beach ball truth is not only round and colorful, but it bounces, floats and if you let the air out, it goes flat! But he's a kook who fasts and prays a lot - way too much if you ask me - and who's gonna believe him? Ha ha. Let the air out...that's funny...

Truth and revelation may come a puzzle piece at a time. But if we have the right heart, if we're open to learn, if we pray and seek the Lord, if we read and study the Word for ourselves we'll come to understand how those pieces all connect together to form a beautiful secret the world will never see. That's how to get revelation!

Related Posts:
Are You Really Reading God's Word?
Secrets

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What Is The Mind of Christ? 5 Ways to Keep Spiritually Minded

8/11/2011

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For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Is it just me or have you also noticed that keeping your head and heart in the right place is real work? It takes a deliberate effort to maintain a godly perspective in a negative world. I'm not just talking about having a positive attitude; I mean being spiritually minded.

We're all born with a natural, carnal mind that tends to be focused on 3 things: I, me and mine. From birth it's all about us and what we want. As babies, we cried to get attention. As children and teens we whined to get what we wanted. As adults we've mastered all kinds of techniques to ultimately get our way, haven't we?

The spiritual mind is the exact opposite. It is others focused starting with pleasing God first. Jesus said about himself, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38)

What is the mind of Christ? Consider this:

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:3-8)

Having the mind of Christ involves abandoning my own will and ego, putting others' needs ahead of my own, and humbling myself to serve even to the point of great personal sacrifice. Talk about a tall order! But that's exactly what Jesus Christ, the great King of Glory did for us.

Here's where the rubber meets the road: Husbands, how are we serving our wives? Are we putting their needs – physical and emotional - above our own? Wives, are you truly honoring your husband the way the Bible describes? Do you think he feels it? Having the mind of Christ should start at home!

If you're a church leader, are you doing everything you can to promote others, or is it all about you and your ministry? What are you doing so that others will increase and you will decrease?

5 Ways To Keep Spiritually Minded

1. Read & Study the Scriptures
That sounds like no-brainer, yet on an average week, how often do we read the Bible? Most will admit "not very". It's easy to say we're too busy...except we somehow seem to have time for TV, Facebook, romance novels, etc. If we don't get into the Word of God, the Word of God won't be getting in to us! Let's not forget that Christ was the Word made flesh... (John 1:1-14)

2. Pray In The Spirit
Jude writes, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21). The value of praying in the Spirit is incalculable. I write more about praying in the Holy Ghost here. See Rom. 8:26-27

3. Meditate upon the Word
Learn to go beyond just reading the scriptures. Meditate upon them, let the words of Christ sink into you. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)

4. Fellowship with other Believers
Being with other like minded souls is a real morale boost and facilitates iron sharpening iron.

5. Share the Word
Teach a Bible Study to someone! It's one of the most amazing ways to learn the Word of God and become solid in what you believe. Start with a simple, free topical Bible Study and share it with a friend. Then watch what happens to you!

We'll never get the mind of Christ by accident. It takes deliberate effort. But read the top verse again and remember the benefits of being spiritually minded: life and peace!

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Choosing To Grow Through Marriage - Interview with Meagan Frank - Part 1

8/2/2011

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Author Meagan Frank

Few topics are more important today than marriage. This loving, honorable relationship between a man and a woman was designed by God himself and is the foundation of society. Unfortunately, marriage has been downgraded by the world into a disposable partnership rather than a life-long commitment. "Till death do us part" really means "Till things get tough" to many. Weddings are easy; marriage is not.

I caught up with Meagan to talk about her new book Choosing To Grow Through Marriage. I hope you'll enjoy this 2-part interview, both in text and in video and be sure to check out the special offer to ChristianHomeChurch.com (CHC) visitors!

Who Is Meagan Frank? Explaining who I am has to start with where I am. I am a married mother of three children ages 11, 9 and 5. We live in Minnesota most of the year, but for the summers we come back to my home state of Colorado. I am a newly retired college soccer coach who has been a writer since I was seven. I have been an English teacher and a newspaper reporter as well as staying home full time with our children. I have only recently decided that I want to do who I’ve always been, and I am in the process of creating a business as a writer

Why should someone listen to you? That’s a good question. I admit I am hardly a formal expert in marriage. I majored in English and minored in Education in college so what I know about marriage has all been learned outside of a classroom. Were there even any college classes about marriage anyway? As part of my study in the Education department at Colorado College, I did study some psychology, but it was not a major emphasis. The unique nature of our college made me innately curious. It also taught me how to ask the deeper questions, and then how to analyze the answers.

Maybe that’s why you should listen to me. I know I don’t know everything there is to know about marriage, but I do know some of the best places to go for answers. With the help of people smarter than me, more experienced than me and who have offered up ideas about what works and what doesn’t, I researched my way to expertise. I read 25 titles, I interviewed 70 women ranging in age from 25-85 and I collected objective data for 170 women. I am still learning and growing through what life throws at me but the book is a great starting point.

Why This Book? The idea for this book was a response to an on-my-knees conversation with God. I had hit a low and desperate spot in my life, and in my marriage. I pleaded with God for some help to get through it. The motivation to research for this book was the very next thought in my head. I have felt divinely inspired all along. I feel called to make our marriage and, marriage in general, a vehicle to know God’s love and to improve on the relationships around us.

Click Here For A Special Offer from Meagan for CHC Visitors!

Why Now? Even the publishing story of this book feels as though God’s hand has been in the mix. Until now, I wasn’t ready, and the book wasn’t ready either. Eight years have passed since my night of prayer, but I knew all along that it was going to happen on a timeline that was not mine. I had all but given up on the book after a series of rejections and not much momentum. TreasureLine publishing seemingly came out of nowhere, and before I knew it I was contracted to finish the book. That was a year ago, and here I am with a physical offering to make to the world.

Who will get the most out of this book? That has turned into a pretty funny question. I initially thought my target audience was married people (maybe most specifically women) ages 25-55. I still think that is a good age range, but maybe it is best to talk about phase of life rather than an age. I think this book will be good for people who are truly invested in preparation for marriage…not just the wedding, but the marriage. Newlyweds who are coming down from the high of the honeymoon would likely benefit. New parents will find some great information in there about the intrusion of children, and well, I guess anyone who is interested in growing through all stages of marriage. There have been a number of men and women in their seventies (thanks to the women who were part of my research groups) who have read and enjoyed the book. There is more than research in this book, there are analogies and anecdotal stories. If marriage is a topic of interest, you’ll find something in this book for you.

Click Here To Go To Part 2 of this Interview

Click Here for a Special Offer To ChristianHomeChurch (CHC) Visitors and visit MeaganFrank.com for more about this fascinating author. Please leave a comment below and share this article with others!

Are you a believer who's considering marriage to an unbeliever? This article might be of interest.

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Why Go To Church - Part 2

7/26/2011

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Click Picture For Part 1

Over 110,000 Google searches every month are initiated with phrases like "Why Go To Church?" What are people looking for? Words to remind them of the importance of fellowship? Some support for skipping church? Are others bored with church and their walk with God and hope to find something more than what they currently have? Whatever the reasons, if you've stumbled upon this article using a similar search, I'm glad you're here and I pray you'll find what you're looking for.

Why Should I Go To Church?

First, let's be clear about something: We don't go to church; we are the church. Church is a family more than anything else. However, since “going to church” is how most of us describe assembling together, I'll use it for this post.

Reasons Why to Go To Church

You Matter! Your Participation Is Important.
Too many of us wouldn't put church and participation in the same sentence. We're used to a few performing for the many who sit and listen. But here's what I Cor. 14: 26 says: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. Christ designed his church to function like active and connected members of a body under his headship.

You Have Spiritual Gifts to Share With Others
According to Rom. 12, I Cor. 12-14, and Eph. 4, Christ has given gifts to his church. These gifts are for edifying others and should be encouraged. If you are not assembling together, others can't receive what you have, nor will you be blessed by others. Have a look at those chapters above to see what Christ has given to his church! We all fit in there somewhere.

Note: Spiritual Gifts and their use is a big topic and deserves it's own post. Ask about it later!

Your Presence Adds Excitement
Every group or church has it's own unique flavor and dynamic. Ever notice how the level of excitement raises or lowers according to who and how many of us assemble together? Numbers aren't what's important, but be assured others notice your absence. Have you ever been comforted by certain people just being there consistently? I sure have! You have no idea how your faithful attendance impacts others.

Church Is About Giving & Receiving
Jesus Christ designed his church to be an interactive fellowship. Read the book of Acts and you'll see a dynamic church praying for and with each other, looking out for each others needs, meeting in each others houses at different days and times, teaching, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues, prophesying, working miracles, offering words of wisdom and knowledge, and preaching the word. Everyone participated!

Does the Bible say you have to go to church? Here's what the Bible says...
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25)

What is emphasis? Considering one another...provoke unto love and good works...exhorting one another... It's not about buildings, position or title, multimedia light shows, praise teams, elevating pastors, or fundraisers. Some of these things are helpful, but not the focus. Urging each other on from glory to glory is far more important than programs or electronic gadgetry.

The bottom line is that we were all created by Almighty God for purpose. We all have a special place in the body of Christ - and it's not in a pew! We have gifts to give, wisdom to share, miracles to experience and encouragement to receive from others.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (Ecc. 4:9-10)

The enemy of our soul would love nothing more than to see God's people separated from other believers and feeling worthless, unused, and unappreciated. We'll never experience the thrilling fulfillment God has for us if we're all by ourselves. The same is true if we're stuck in an organization that won't yield to the biblical pattern of interactive church.

Related Article: Important Things You Should Know About Church Before You Go Back!

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Business And The Bible

6/27/2011

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Business And The Bible
How Are We Treating Others?

And as ye would that men should do to you,
do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:31

Don't you love working with businesses that treat you fair and square? What you see is what you get without crazy surprises or disappointing results? I sure do! Unfortunately, things don't always work out that way – even when the business owner claims to be a believer.

I've been going though a difficult situation with a service company I hired some time ago. According to our agreement, certain things were supposed to happen at certain times and they weren't getting done. When I pointed these items out in neatly typed black and white, rather than admitting error, the “Christian” Business owner skirted the issue and tried to put the error on me. Amazing.

This Christian businessman wasn't holding up his end of the agreement and was in clear breach of contract. After a heated conversation we terminated our agreement. A few days later he emailed me to say he was getting out of that business. As it turns out, I'm not the only one who's complained about his services. It's too bad really, but it's also instructive. I was glad for the relatively peaceful resolve, but wanted to make sure I'd learned all I could from this experience. I'm certainly not immune to being less than Christ-like myself.

As a Christian Businessman, I need to conduct business the way Jesus would. If you're a business owning believer, consider these questions with me:

What's most important to me: Making money or offering the best product and service I can?
Am I treating my clients the way I want to be treated?
Am I being completely clear and upfront with my customers?
Am I pointing out what my employees do right as much what they do wrong?
Are my contracts and agreements written equitably and honorably or are there hidden fees and traps to snare customers?
How's my reputation in the community?

FedEx has a great philosophy about business: People – Service – Profits. Here's how their Culture Page starts: “Take care of our people; they in turn will deliver impeccable service demanded by our customers, who will reward us with the profitability necessary to secure our future.”

Talk about having your priorities in order! Jesus gave us this instruction that is relevant for both in business and life:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

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The overriding principle is this: Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated.

Every once in a while I catch the TV series “Undercover Boss”. It's where a CEO or a big business owner gets into disguise and becomes an entry-level employee in his own company for a week. It's eye-opening for everyone and worth a watch. We business owners could learn a lot by wearing the shoes of our customers and employees for a time now and then.

With all of the social media options available today, customers can write and post comments about our businesses in minutes. What will they write about ours today? Will we get a 1-star or a 5-star review? Will they ever come back or will they return with a car full of their friends because of the great service they received?

More importantly, what kind of review would Jesus Christ give us if he did business with us today? Would he be pleased with our offerings or take his business elsewhere?

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Bible Verses, Forgiveness, and Repentance

5/15/2011

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This Article Was Featured In The Pagosa Daily Post in Pagosa Springs, Colorado!

And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's
sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Plenty! If you're a “cut to the chase” person like me, then have a look at this:

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

If we follow this out to conclusion, the unforgiving person won't be forgiven and will die in their sins. They will stand before God, the Righteous Judge, with unrepented and unforgiven sins and will be judged according to the Word. Don't be that guy!

"If a bad man offends you, forgive him, lest there be two bad men."

By the way, God doesn't use a sliding scale when it comes to sin like we do sometimes (Adultery = 9; Lying = 7.5; White Lies = 5; Stealing = 6.8...) Sin is sin and all sin carries the same judgment: death.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

Forgiveness is the most God-like characteristic I can think of, but it isn't a passive characteristic. The Bible doesn't say anywhere to just “forgive and forget” and that's it. That attitude, though gracious sounding, isn't biblical and rarely brings real peace and resolve. Here's what should happen:

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)

That word rebuke means: to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.

And here's how that should take place...

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:15-17)

Shouldn't we confront others the way we'd want to be confronted if we're in the wrong? Makes sense. Ever notice how soon after we get on to someone about a fault that someone is getting on to us – often about the very same thing? I hate it when that happens!

“Lord, let my words be sweet today, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”

Finally, let's give each other room to repent. Some offenses can be cleared away in a conversation, others may require time to work out, pay back, rebuild trust, or repair. Give a person time and opportunity to make things right – the same amount of time we hope to receive when it's our turn to seek forgiveness.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:2)

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

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Are You Still Curious?

4/10/2011

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My wife and I took in the Body Worlds exhibit at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix not too long ago. To make a long story short, my wife really enjoyed the display, but I was done long before we left. It was all fascinating but I would have been satisfied looking at a few pictures online or in a book than waiting in long lines to shuffle through the exhibit with the crowds. It just wasn't for me.

The experience caused me to question whether I had lost my curiosity about life. Had I stopped exploring? The answer was no. I'm still interested to know what's on the other side of the many hills – just not every hill. That's okay with me.

The more I ponder being curious, the more think about our education system as a whole. I went to public school and a number of colleges and was forced to study many subjects that I didn't care about, nor have they proven helpful in life since. All the while other topics that would have been interesting and would have benefited me were not included in the curriculum.

Were you ever told you needed to take a certain course in order to be “well-rounded” in your learning? I heard that more than once. “Well-rounded” according to whom? I'm still waiting to see the benefit of studying migration patterns of blue whales. Are we still “well-rounded” when we later discover that what we'd been taught was wrong like the politically motivated global warming hoax? Will students be getting their tuition back?

Is it just me, or has our government run educational system done more to kill the desire to learn than almost anything else? If so, I think this is true for most denominational church systems and spiritual growth.

Let's cut to the chase. Are we still spiritually curious? Do we want to grow deeper in our walk with God, or do we want to know just enough to get by? Do our eyes glaze over at the very thought of a Bible study?

How would you answer these summations, True of False:

Bible Study = Being lectured to.

Church = Getting dressed up to sit in an uncomfortable pew for two hours while it's sunny and beautiful outside.

Pastor = A man who gets paid to tell us what we're doing wrong every week.

Prayer = What we do when we're in a jam.

Hell = What we catch if we miss church.

Heaven = Where we hope to end up no matter how we live now.

I hope none of these are True for you, but if any are, I'd be willing to bet that it's because of how these subjects have been presented. Too many of us know the formality of religion without knowing power of God. That's a tragedy, and probably the best way to undermine any desire to learn we might have.

When Jesus Christ walked the earth, he blew people's minds. They were astonished at his doctrine and traveled far to hear him preach. He spoke with an authority that the religious leaders couldn't touch, and those conditions haven't changed. The power of God and his Word are still the same today! Oh, that we all might know that first hand for ourselves!

Has it been a long time since you've felt the power of God in your life? Has the Bible become just another book on the shelf? Have you lost all the wonder you once had about the Lord God Almighty? Has the color of life turned to mere shades of gray? If this is true for you, and you'd like to regain a sense of wonder and curiosity about our Creator, then allow me to suggest a couple things:

First, you're not alone! We all go through dry times spiritually. Be honest about any sins not yet confessed and forsaken and seek the Lord.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:8)

Second, we all have a direct line to God and can talk to him anytime. I recommend getting alone and talking to him as you'd talk to your most trusted friend. Ask for a renewed relationship in him and his Word. God still answers prayer and wants to show himself strong in our lives!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Third, take responsibility of your life in Christ. It's your relationship! Take your faith out of the box, out of the pew, and out of the denomination and let God be God in your life!

Finally, do you know what you believe and why? Have you ever thought of taking yourself through a simple Bible study and letting it speak to you? Search the Bible by topic or search the Bible by subject. Become friends with the concordance in the back of your Bible and search out things you're interested in for yourself with an open heart and mind.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Allow yourself to be challenged! Allow yourself to be changed!

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. (Psalms 99:1-3 )

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How To Start A Ministry

3/28/2011

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Good News! Starting a ministry is easy! It's easy because the very heart of ministry is serving people. It's not about stages and expensive programs; it's about people. Yes, starting a ministry is easy, but real ministry requires brutal honesty about our goals and our motives.

Here are some questions we should ask ourselves before starting a ministry:

“Is God leading me to do this or is it just me wanting to do this?”
Let's use the disciples of Christ as an example. Were Peter and the others searching the Help Wanted ads when Jesus called them? No, they were gainfully employed when Christ came to them...

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)

Jesus called them into his ministry, he didn't ask them what they'd like to do for the Kingdom of God. We should ask ourselves, "What does God want?" Then, find that answer in the scriptures which we'll get to in just a moment.

“Who will get the glory?”
There sure are a lot of enterprises called “ministries” today with someone's personal name attached to them. “Dr. Rev. So And So's Ministry.” Contrast that with the numerous times Jesus healed someone and then told them to be quiet about it. If we're looking for bright lights and recognition, we're probably being moved by our own spirit and not the Holy Ghost.

“Will we keep at this ministry if no one else helps?”
I've seen folks over the years get quickly excited about starting a ministry, but then get quickly discouraged – even bitter - when others didn't jump up and down and get excited with them. They seem to think if God was talking to them, surely God was talking to everyone. That is not the case at all!

Jesus Christ preached truth, healed the sick, and raised the dead and most people still walked away shaking their heads. Then when he was being crucified, all of his disciples forsook him and got out of Dodge! Should we expect anything else? One big test of the validity of ministry is whether we'll still be at it when things get tough, or if we're alone in our endeavors. Ministry is about obedience and service, not about how many others help out or donate. If God has led us to a task, he will provide!

May I make a few suggestions about starting a ministry?

First, get into the Word. The more I read the scriptures the more I find that people didn't go out and start ministries; they preached the Word. Consider the final commands of Christ to his disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

In Acts, we see this repeated pattern: The word was preached and disciples were multiplied (Acts 6:7) Sounds like God was blessing their obedience. From there, opportunities to serve arose. This is how all ministries should all begin! That's how the role of deacons was established in Acts chapter six. Understanding our spiritual gifting and place in the church will develop as we read, study, and teach the Word.

If our ministry doesn't grow out from the Word, should we really call it a "ministry?" Maybe we should call our neat project, "Our Neat Project" instead of our "ministry."

If we're chomping at the bit to “do something for God” then let's teach Bible Studies! Let God bless our obedience and open the doors. Otherwise, we might be doing our own thing and just attaching “God” to it. That is not ministry. It might be slander!

In my Christian Fiction novel Parting Ways, I write about a minister who chooses to follow God according to the scriptures, and loses his mega-church ministry! But God blesses him in an unexpected way as he obeys and preaches the Word. He learns how to start a ministry from the Word first, not a program first.

Let's take this instruction from Paul to heart and start our ministries off right:

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Thinking of an online ministry? Check Out Gospel Preaching Online - How To Preach To More People

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