Staying Out of the Pity Pit
Most likely you have experienced times when it seemed like the weight of the world was on your shoulders. Joy escaped you. You were pressed and pressured by burdens, worries and a heavy heart. Times were tough and life was hard. Maybe this describes you today.
What do we do when life gets hard and pressures get heavy? How do we get through times like this?
We find a simple, but wonderful answer in the life of the Apostle Paul and his ministry helper Silas. The story is found in Acts 16.
Paul and Silas went into the city of Philippi to preach the Gospel. As they began preaching, they encountered opposition that eventually led to false accusations and trumped up charges being filed against them. They were severely beaten and thrown into the worst part of Philippi’s prison. Outwardly, this looked like a very bleak circumstance. It was an extremely hard time for them.
Take a look at how the Bible describes their predicament:
“They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in stocks.” – Acts 16:23, 24 (NLT)
Talk about a bad day! It doesn’t get a whole lot worse than this!
We learn a lot by observing how Paul and Silas handled this tough time in their lives. Would they become angry, discouraged and disillusioned? Would they sink into the muck and mire of despair? Would they practice what they preached or would their faith fail them in this moment? How would they respond to their hard situation?
The Bible takes us into their Philippian prison cell. It gives us a front row seat to their response:
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” – Acts 16:25 (NLT)
Immediately we are taken to a whole new spiritual level. Instead of falling into the pity pit, Paul and Silas raised up pillars of prayer and praise to God. In doing so, they set an example for us.
The result of their response is amazing. It got God’s attention. Take a look at what happened next:
“Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundation. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” – Acts 16:26 (NLT)
Paul and Silas, in one of their toughest moments of life and ministry, did something unnatural. They chose to worship God. They chose to look up and lift up the name of the Lord. They chose to rejoice in the One who was with them in their dark, dank cell at Philippi. They welcomed God into their world, at the time of their greatest pain and need.
And their worship made a difference! It opened the way for God to work in their world. And work He did! Deliverance came to Paul and Silas, the other prisoners saw God’s might at work, and the jailer came to know Jesus Christ. That’s the power of worship!
Are you going through a tough time? Is the weight of the world on your shoulders? Is life hard for you right now? Let Paul and Silas’ example instruct and inspire you. Do the unnatural thing. Instead of falling into a pity pit, raise up pillars of prayer and praise. Give God an opportunity to invade your world and demonstrate to you, and those around you, the power of worship!
Pastor Dale
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
March 30, 2011
Redeemed From Darkness
One of the realities of our spiritual journey is spiritual warfare. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are targets of spiritual assaults.
The Apostle Paul addressed this reality:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
The Apostle Peter gave us a similar reminder:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
The Greek word Peter used for “devour” means “to drink down, to drown, to cause to waste, to ingest, to overwhelm, to swallow.” It refers to the consumption of a person’s life, influence or energies in a wasteful and destructive way.
We must be aware of the devil’s objectives if we are going to guard ourselves against them.
Jesus made a powerful statement about the agenda of our spiritual adversary:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 (NIV)
According to Jesus, the devil’s attacks are designed to steal from us the resources we need, to kill the good things God has planned for us, and to destroy anything the Lord wants to build in and through us.
Jesus also reminded us that He came to free us from the agenda of our spiritual adversary. He came to give us life! He came to reverse the works of the devil. This happens as we open our lives to Him, and prayerfully invite Him to do His redemptive work in us and in all areas that impact our lives.
With this in mind, I encourage you to start praying some specific prayers. Begin asking Jesus to:
Restore to you all the devil has stolen from you.
Resurrect for you everything the devil has killed in and around you.
Rebuild in and through you all things the devil has destroyed.
Jesus came to redeem us from the works of darkness. Invite Him to do this in you!
Pastor Dale
One of the realities of our spiritual journey is spiritual warfare. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are targets of spiritual assaults.
The Apostle Paul addressed this reality:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
The Apostle Peter gave us a similar reminder:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
The Greek word Peter used for “devour” means “to drink down, to drown, to cause to waste, to ingest, to overwhelm, to swallow.” It refers to the consumption of a person’s life, influence or energies in a wasteful and destructive way.
We must be aware of the devil’s objectives if we are going to guard ourselves against them.
Jesus made a powerful statement about the agenda of our spiritual adversary:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 (NIV)
According to Jesus, the devil’s attacks are designed to steal from us the resources we need, to kill the good things God has planned for us, and to destroy anything the Lord wants to build in and through us.
Jesus also reminded us that He came to free us from the agenda of our spiritual adversary. He came to give us life! He came to reverse the works of the devil. This happens as we open our lives to Him, and prayerfully invite Him to do His redemptive work in us and in all areas that impact our lives.
With this in mind, I encourage you to start praying some specific prayers. Begin asking Jesus to:
Restore to you all the devil has stolen from you.
Resurrect for you everything the devil has killed in and around you.
Rebuild in and through you all things the devil has destroyed.
Jesus came to redeem us from the works of darkness. Invite Him to do this in you!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
March 29, 2011
An Important Question
Are you a Christian? This is a very important question. To honestly answer this question we first need to understand what it means to be a Christian.
The term “Christian” was coined to describe a 1st century group of people living in the near east city of Antioch. When believers in Jesus living in Jerusalem began experiencing strong persecution, they took the message about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection to other cities. One of those cities was Antioch. As these believers shared their faith with the folks there, great things happened. The Bible describes it this way:
… and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. – Acts 11:21 (NIV)
The citizens of Antioch noticed positive and radical changes in the lives of these new believers. They knew that something wonderful had happened to their family members, friends and neighbors, and they linked the changes to their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. And because of this, they were given a name. They were called “Christians.”
… The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. – Acts 11:26 (NIV)
The Greek word translated “Christian” is “Christianos,” and it simply means “a Christ follower.” The name identified people who were dedicated, convinced followers, students, disciples of Jesus Christ. The Bibles says ” … The DISCIPLES [emphasis mine] were first called Christians at Antioch.” The term “Christian” was connected to a commitment to be a disciple of Jesus.
The word “disciple” is not commonly used in today’s culture. The concept of discipleship is unfamiliar to most people. In the New Testament, and particularly in the Gospels, the term and concept of discipleship is found a lot. Jesus used it frequently. He clearly defined what it means to be one of His “disciples.”
According to Jesus, His disciples are those who have committed themselves to Him, believing that He is the true Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the world. They have also committed themselves to live under His authority, to continually learn His ways and follow in His footsteps, obeying His Word.
Jesus distinguished between casual listeners to His message or observers of His miracles and those who truly committed themselves to Him. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, thousands gathered to listen to Him teach and watch Him perform miracles, but a much smaller group was considered to be disciples.
Jesus regularly defined the requirements for becoming a disciple. Take a look at what Jesus said:
Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 (NLT)
The Apostle Paul told us how to start our journey as a disciple:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that your are saved. – Romans 10:9. 10 (NLT)
When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)
Being a disciple of Jesus — a “Christian” — involves heart-level faith and a life commitment to Jesus that radically changes the way we think, speak and act. It involves becoming a daily follower and serious student of Jesus. A “Christian” is a committed “Christ follower.”
Pastor Dale
Are you a Christian? This is a very important question. To honestly answer this question we first need to understand what it means to be a Christian.
The term “Christian” was coined to describe a 1st century group of people living in the near east city of Antioch. When believers in Jesus living in Jerusalem began experiencing strong persecution, they took the message about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection to other cities. One of those cities was Antioch. As these believers shared their faith with the folks there, great things happened. The Bible describes it this way:
… and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. – Acts 11:21 (NIV)
The citizens of Antioch noticed positive and radical changes in the lives of these new believers. They knew that something wonderful had happened to their family members, friends and neighbors, and they linked the changes to their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. And because of this, they were given a name. They were called “Christians.”
… The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. – Acts 11:26 (NIV)
The Greek word translated “Christian” is “Christianos,” and it simply means “a Christ follower.” The name identified people who were dedicated, convinced followers, students, disciples of Jesus Christ. The Bibles says ” … The DISCIPLES [emphasis mine] were first called Christians at Antioch.” The term “Christian” was connected to a commitment to be a disciple of Jesus.
The word “disciple” is not commonly used in today’s culture. The concept of discipleship is unfamiliar to most people. In the New Testament, and particularly in the Gospels, the term and concept of discipleship is found a lot. Jesus used it frequently. He clearly defined what it means to be one of His “disciples.”
According to Jesus, His disciples are those who have committed themselves to Him, believing that He is the true Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the world. They have also committed themselves to live under His authority, to continually learn His ways and follow in His footsteps, obeying His Word.
Jesus distinguished between casual listeners to His message or observers of His miracles and those who truly committed themselves to Him. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, thousands gathered to listen to Him teach and watch Him perform miracles, but a much smaller group was considered to be disciples.
Jesus regularly defined the requirements for becoming a disciple. Take a look at what Jesus said:
Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 (NLT)
The Apostle Paul told us how to start our journey as a disciple:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that your are saved. – Romans 10:9. 10 (NLT)
When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)
Being a disciple of Jesus — a “Christian” — involves heart-level faith and a life commitment to Jesus that radically changes the way we think, speak and act. It involves becoming a daily follower and serious student of Jesus. A “Christian” is a committed “Christ follower.”
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 28, 2011
March 28, 2011
Who Is Jesus?
One of the most valuable things that can happen to us in life is to really get to know others –– to know people for who they really are –– their heart, personality, nature and character. Knowing who someone is helps us to understand them, appreciate them, and have insight into what they do and say. Without investing the time to get to know someone, our relationship with them will always be somewhat shallow.
This is especially true and important when it comes to a relationship with Jesus. To know Jesus, we must invest time and energy getting to know Him. We must seek to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
During His time on earth, Jesus made clear who He was and is. He did so by His actions and also by His words. One of the ways Jesus revealed Himself to us was through several very direct statements He made about Himself. John, the Gospel writer, recorded seven of these statements –– what are often called the seven “I am’s” of Jesus.
Take a look at what Jesus said about Himself:
“I am the bread of life.” –– John 6:35 “I am the light of the world.” –– John 8:12 “I am the gate.” –– John 10:9 “I am the good shepherd.” –– John 10:11 “I am the resurrection and the life.” –– John 11:25 “I am the way, the truth and the life.” –– John 14:6 “I am the vine.” –– John 15:5
Seven times Jesus emphatically told us exactly who He is.
Our goal is to know Jesus better, and to love, trust and serve Him more.
Pastor Dale
One of the most valuable things that can happen to us in life is to really get to know others –– to know people for who they really are –– their heart, personality, nature and character. Knowing who someone is helps us to understand them, appreciate them, and have insight into what they do and say. Without investing the time to get to know someone, our relationship with them will always be somewhat shallow.
This is especially true and important when it comes to a relationship with Jesus. To know Jesus, we must invest time and energy getting to know Him. We must seek to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
During His time on earth, Jesus made clear who He was and is. He did so by His actions and also by His words. One of the ways Jesus revealed Himself to us was through several very direct statements He made about Himself. John, the Gospel writer, recorded seven of these statements –– what are often called the seven “I am’s” of Jesus.
Take a look at what Jesus said about Himself:
“I am the bread of life.” –– John 6:35 “I am the light of the world.” –– John 8:12 “I am the gate.” –– John 10:9 “I am the good shepherd.” –– John 10:11 “I am the resurrection and the life.” –– John 11:25 “I am the way, the truth and the life.” –– John 14:6 “I am the vine.” –– John 15:5
Seven times Jesus emphatically told us exactly who He is.
Our goal is to know Jesus better, and to love, trust and serve Him more.
Pastor Dale
Friday, March 25, 2011
March 25, 2011
History Changers
Human history has left us the record of many men and women who have changed the world for the good. By their influence and efforts, they made a positive difference. Some of these “platinum people” have served in the limelight of society, while others made their impact in relative obscurity.
The common qualities of such people are selflessness, generosity of spirit and humility of heart. Whether in public view or out of sight, these kind of folks faithfully and courageously give of themselves to make others better, and to make the world a better place. They truly are history changers.
There are many great stories in the Bible about people God used to change history for the better. One is the story of a young Jewish lady named Esther. In the face of an impending national tragedy – the genocide of the Jews — Esther stepped up, risked her life and changed history. God used her to make a major difference. To this day Esther is remembered as a heroine by the Jews, and is honored annually in the celebration of Purim. Her acts of faith, courage and wisdom resulted in the rescuing of her people from certain annihilation. The world was changed for the good because of the way she lived her life.
God wants you to be a history changer. We all have a “world” where God has placed us. No matter how broad or narrow our influence might be in our “world,” God desires to use each of us to change its history for the better. He wants us to be history changers in our homes, neighborhoods, work place, communities — wherever we go and through all that we do.
To become a history changer, we must develop the kind of character Esther had and make the kind of decisions Esther made. Her life is a great model for us.
From Esther’s story we will find out what it takes to make a lasting, positive difference for the future by the decisions we make and the actions we take today.
Pastor Dale
Human history has left us the record of many men and women who have changed the world for the good. By their influence and efforts, they made a positive difference. Some of these “platinum people” have served in the limelight of society, while others made their impact in relative obscurity.
The common qualities of such people are selflessness, generosity of spirit and humility of heart. Whether in public view or out of sight, these kind of folks faithfully and courageously give of themselves to make others better, and to make the world a better place. They truly are history changers.
There are many great stories in the Bible about people God used to change history for the better. One is the story of a young Jewish lady named Esther. In the face of an impending national tragedy – the genocide of the Jews — Esther stepped up, risked her life and changed history. God used her to make a major difference. To this day Esther is remembered as a heroine by the Jews, and is honored annually in the celebration of Purim. Her acts of faith, courage and wisdom resulted in the rescuing of her people from certain annihilation. The world was changed for the good because of the way she lived her life.
God wants you to be a history changer. We all have a “world” where God has placed us. No matter how broad or narrow our influence might be in our “world,” God desires to use each of us to change its history for the better. He wants us to be history changers in our homes, neighborhoods, work place, communities — wherever we go and through all that we do.
To become a history changer, we must develop the kind of character Esther had and make the kind of decisions Esther made. Her life is a great model for us.
From Esther’s story we will find out what it takes to make a lasting, positive difference for the future by the decisions we make and the actions we take today.
Pastor Dale
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 24, 2011
Lift Someone’s Spirit
There is no question that the world is filled with bad news. Like an unrelenting avalanche, it comes at us day after day. Stories about tragedies, crime, economic pressures, along with concern over our own personal problems and pain contribute to overwhelming feelings of anxiety and despair. All of this can leave us with a very heavy heart.
In the midst of such a world, God calls us to be His helpers, His “assistants,” His instruments of love, grace, support and encouragement. As the God of hope and encouragement, He longs to get His good news message out to people who are hurting, worried, grieving and afraid. He is looking for people who use their voice to speak His words — words that lift and inspire the heavy-hearted.
The writer of Proverbs described the power of such words and the impact of such a person:
“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” – Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
The Hebrew term for “worry” can also be translated “heaviness.” It refers to anxiety and apprehension over trouble. It speaks of the negative emotions we feel when receiving or anticipating bad news.
The Bible gives us the solution for a heavy heart. The cure for such anxiety and apprehension is an “encouraging word.” One translation reads, “a good word.” The Hebrew phrase refers to a message that lifts someone’s spirit out of their preoccupation with the bad and ugly and refocuses it on the pleasant possibilities and potential.
You are a communicator of bad news or good news; discouraging thoughts or encouraging thoughts; anxiety, fear and despair or faith, hope and love. The world already has enough of the negative, go for the positive. Lift someone’s spirit today!
Pastor Dale
There is no question that the world is filled with bad news. Like an unrelenting avalanche, it comes at us day after day. Stories about tragedies, crime, economic pressures, along with concern over our own personal problems and pain contribute to overwhelming feelings of anxiety and despair. All of this can leave us with a very heavy heart.
In the midst of such a world, God calls us to be His helpers, His “assistants,” His instruments of love, grace, support and encouragement. As the God of hope and encouragement, He longs to get His good news message out to people who are hurting, worried, grieving and afraid. He is looking for people who use their voice to speak His words — words that lift and inspire the heavy-hearted.
The writer of Proverbs described the power of such words and the impact of such a person:
“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” – Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
The Hebrew term for “worry” can also be translated “heaviness.” It refers to anxiety and apprehension over trouble. It speaks of the negative emotions we feel when receiving or anticipating bad news.
The Bible gives us the solution for a heavy heart. The cure for such anxiety and apprehension is an “encouraging word.” One translation reads, “a good word.” The Hebrew phrase refers to a message that lifts someone’s spirit out of their preoccupation with the bad and ugly and refocuses it on the pleasant possibilities and potential.
You are a communicator of bad news or good news; discouraging thoughts or encouraging thoughts; anxiety, fear and despair or faith, hope and love. The world already has enough of the negative, go for the positive. Lift someone’s spirit today!
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 23, 2011
Lost and Found
Have you ever felt isolated and alone in a crowd of people? While everyone around you seemed to be mixing, mingling and connecting, you felt uncomfortable, awkward and out of place?
We all experience moments like this. At some point, everyone battles internal demons of inferiority and insecurity. These dark emotions can cause us to retreat and withdraw from people. They create in us a haunting expectation of rejection and a horrible sense of loneliness.
In the New Testament we find the story of a man who may have struggled with such feelings. The gospel writer John tells us a part of the story of this man:
“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Come, follow Me.’ … ” – John 1:43 (NLT)
Jesus was just beginning His ministry. One of His first priorities was to gather a group of disciples around Him — those who could learn from Him and carry on His work. Jesus initially connected with three men, Andrew, John and Simon Peter, and invited them to follow Him. All three of these men experienced a very significant, life-altering moment with Jesus. They realized that He was the Messiah. That day their world started to radically change.
After meeting with Andrew, John and Peter, Jesus headed north to Galilee. There was someone on HIs heart; a man He had never met. But although Jesus hadn’t met him, Jesus knew Him! He knew who he was and what he was like. He also cared deeply for him.
The man Jesus found that day was someone others may have overlooked or forgotten. He seemed to be the kind of person who could easily be lost in a crowd. His name was Philip:
“… Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip … ”
Jesus went to Galilee because Philip needed Him. Jesus pursued Philip. Jesus knew where Philip lived, and headed to his house! When He found Philip, the Lord invited him to follow Him and become one of His disciples. Jesus’ invitation might be paraphrased, “Philip, come travel with Me! You now you have a real friend; a constant companion. Come walk with Me.”
This story beautifully illustrates Jesus’ heart for people and the work He came to do:
“For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost.” – Luke 10:19 (NLT)
Jesus seeks out lonely, isolated and forgotten people. He knows where we live and He pursues a relationship with us. He finds and saves the lost.
Philip’s encounter with Jesus that day dramatically changed him. After meeting the Lord, Philip immediately went and told someone else the good news about Him. He shared Jesus with Nathanael. Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathanael!
Perhaps you have felt like Philip at times. Know that Jesus knows you. He is pursuing a relationship with you. He will be a real friend to you. Welcome Him into your world!
Pastor Dale
Have you ever felt isolated and alone in a crowd of people? While everyone around you seemed to be mixing, mingling and connecting, you felt uncomfortable, awkward and out of place?
We all experience moments like this. At some point, everyone battles internal demons of inferiority and insecurity. These dark emotions can cause us to retreat and withdraw from people. They create in us a haunting expectation of rejection and a horrible sense of loneliness.
In the New Testament we find the story of a man who may have struggled with such feelings. The gospel writer John tells us a part of the story of this man:
“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Come, follow Me.’ … ” – John 1:43 (NLT)
Jesus was just beginning His ministry. One of His first priorities was to gather a group of disciples around Him — those who could learn from Him and carry on His work. Jesus initially connected with three men, Andrew, John and Simon Peter, and invited them to follow Him. All three of these men experienced a very significant, life-altering moment with Jesus. They realized that He was the Messiah. That day their world started to radically change.
After meeting with Andrew, John and Peter, Jesus headed north to Galilee. There was someone on HIs heart; a man He had never met. But although Jesus hadn’t met him, Jesus knew Him! He knew who he was and what he was like. He also cared deeply for him.
The man Jesus found that day was someone others may have overlooked or forgotten. He seemed to be the kind of person who could easily be lost in a crowd. His name was Philip:
“… Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip … ”
Jesus went to Galilee because Philip needed Him. Jesus pursued Philip. Jesus knew where Philip lived, and headed to his house! When He found Philip, the Lord invited him to follow Him and become one of His disciples. Jesus’ invitation might be paraphrased, “Philip, come travel with Me! You now you have a real friend; a constant companion. Come walk with Me.”
This story beautifully illustrates Jesus’ heart for people and the work He came to do:
“For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost.” – Luke 10:19 (NLT)
Jesus seeks out lonely, isolated and forgotten people. He knows where we live and He pursues a relationship with us. He finds and saves the lost.
Philip’s encounter with Jesus that day dramatically changed him. After meeting the Lord, Philip immediately went and told someone else the good news about Him. He shared Jesus with Nathanael. Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathanael!
Perhaps you have felt like Philip at times. Know that Jesus knows you. He is pursuing a relationship with you. He will be a real friend to you. Welcome Him into your world!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March 22, 2011
Sweat The Small Stuff
Attending to the smallest details can make the biggest difference. What seems insignificant often turns out to be very significant. This is especially true when it comes to serving others. Paying attention to little things is huge. Failing to pay attention to them is huge also. Going the second mile when serving others is a sure way to show someone you really care.
There are many great stories in the Bible about the power of doing small things well. Jesus emphasized this in His teaching ministry. He also demonstrated it with His life.
Take a look at what Jesus said about second mile service:
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” – Matthew 5:41 (NIV)
These words made a lot of sense to Jesus’ disciples. During their day, Israel was occupied by the Romans. According to the law of the land, any civilian could be conscripted at any moment to carry the backpack of a Roman soldier — no questions asked, no push back allowed. The same law set a restriction on the soldier and the civilian. One mile was the legal limit. Citizens were required to carry the load for one mile, and one mile only.
Then Jesus came along and told His disciples to go beyond the first mile and carry the soldier’s equipment another mile. They were supposed to double up and do more than the required. Why? Because the second mile set them apart from the crowd and earned them an opportunity to influence the soldier being served for the Kingdom of God. The second mile was the mile that made the difference! It was the mile that mattered. A little extra would bring a big dividend for God’s Kingdom.
Jesus reminded us of the link between the quality of someone’s character and the way they handle the little things of life:
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much … — Luke 16:10 (NKJV)
… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things … ‘ – Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
According to Jesus, a key test of character is how someone handles what seems to be small and insignificant. If someone is not faithful with the small stuff, they certainly can’t be counted on for the big stuff. If they don’t do well with the little bit of responsibility or resources they’ve been given, they shouldn’t be given more. The opposite is also true. When you find someone who sweats the small stuff, you’ve found someone that can be promoted. You’ve found a “second mile person.”
Jesus sweated the small stuff. Take a look at His example:
… so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. – John 13:4, 5 (NIV)
On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He shared a meal with His disciples. The custom for such a meal was for someone to volunteer to wash everyone’s feet. All the disciples understood this. They knew that someone should’ve been washing feet, but none of them volunteered. They all conveniently ignored the responsibility. This was “small stuff” to them. This was insignificant. No one would notice the feet that hadn’t been washed. No big deal!
But it was a big deal. Jesus noticed. Jesus saw what the others ignored. Jesus did what the others refused to do. Jesus addressed the “little” detail of dirty feet. What the disciples passed off as an unnecessary obligation, Jesus embraced as a great opportunity. Here we see the huge difference in the quality of Jesus’ character and the character level of His disciples. They still had a lot to learn!
How about you? Do you sweat the details? Are you a conscientious servant? Do you go the second mile? Are you faithful in little things? Do you handle small responsibilities and resources well? Are you a “foot washer?”
God blesses folks who choose to sweat the details!
Pastor Dale
Attending to the smallest details can make the biggest difference. What seems insignificant often turns out to be very significant. This is especially true when it comes to serving others. Paying attention to little things is huge. Failing to pay attention to them is huge also. Going the second mile when serving others is a sure way to show someone you really care.
There are many great stories in the Bible about the power of doing small things well. Jesus emphasized this in His teaching ministry. He also demonstrated it with His life.
Take a look at what Jesus said about second mile service:
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” – Matthew 5:41 (NIV)
These words made a lot of sense to Jesus’ disciples. During their day, Israel was occupied by the Romans. According to the law of the land, any civilian could be conscripted at any moment to carry the backpack of a Roman soldier — no questions asked, no push back allowed. The same law set a restriction on the soldier and the civilian. One mile was the legal limit. Citizens were required to carry the load for one mile, and one mile only.
Then Jesus came along and told His disciples to go beyond the first mile and carry the soldier’s equipment another mile. They were supposed to double up and do more than the required. Why? Because the second mile set them apart from the crowd and earned them an opportunity to influence the soldier being served for the Kingdom of God. The second mile was the mile that made the difference! It was the mile that mattered. A little extra would bring a big dividend for God’s Kingdom.
Jesus reminded us of the link between the quality of someone’s character and the way they handle the little things of life:
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much … — Luke 16:10 (NKJV)
… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things … ‘ – Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
According to Jesus, a key test of character is how someone handles what seems to be small and insignificant. If someone is not faithful with the small stuff, they certainly can’t be counted on for the big stuff. If they don’t do well with the little bit of responsibility or resources they’ve been given, they shouldn’t be given more. The opposite is also true. When you find someone who sweats the small stuff, you’ve found someone that can be promoted. You’ve found a “second mile person.”
Jesus sweated the small stuff. Take a look at His example:
… so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. – John 13:4, 5 (NIV)
On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He shared a meal with His disciples. The custom for such a meal was for someone to volunteer to wash everyone’s feet. All the disciples understood this. They knew that someone should’ve been washing feet, but none of them volunteered. They all conveniently ignored the responsibility. This was “small stuff” to them. This was insignificant. No one would notice the feet that hadn’t been washed. No big deal!
But it was a big deal. Jesus noticed. Jesus saw what the others ignored. Jesus did what the others refused to do. Jesus addressed the “little” detail of dirty feet. What the disciples passed off as an unnecessary obligation, Jesus embraced as a great opportunity. Here we see the huge difference in the quality of Jesus’ character and the character level of His disciples. They still had a lot to learn!
How about you? Do you sweat the details? Are you a conscientious servant? Do you go the second mile? Are you faithful in little things? Do you handle small responsibilities and resources well? Are you a “foot washer?”
God blesses folks who choose to sweat the details!
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21, 2011
Wrestling Restlessness
There’s a horrible disease that’s silently destroying lots of people. It’s usually hidden and very subtle. It can go undiagnosed and unaddressed for years, and in many cases, for a life time. It wrecks lives, marriages and friendships. It hinders personal effectiveness and restricts personal potential. It steals a person’s peace and joy. It relentlessly drives folks to bad decisions, wrong relationships and misguided actions. It often masquerades as something positive and good, although it really is deadly.
I am referring to a spirit of restlessness.
If you have experienced restlessness you know it’s a terrible condition. It’s the inability to find rest. It’s the lack of settled-ness in one’s soul. It keeps us agitated on the inside. It denies people the benefits and pleasures of their present moments and opportunities.
Restlessness comes in many forms:
Physical restlessness causes us to suffer sleepless nights. Our mind and body deny us the sleep we desperately want and need.
Relational restlessness sabotages our relationships. It keeps us from long-term commitments. Driven by relational restlessness, people float around from place to place and person to person searching for something that doesn’t exist. Controlled by unrealistic relationship expectations, no person or place satisfies them.
Personal restlessness is another expression of this disease. It’s an uneasiness with one’s self. It’s like an ever-present, low-grade spiritual and emotional fever. It keeps us frustrated with ourselves and our lot in life. Nothing makes us happy for very long. We try to cure it with activities, purchases, people and achievements, all to no avail. Restless folks are troubled, driven people.
The solution for restlessness is rest. To rest is to settle down with a contented, peaceful attitude. Rested people are relaxed. They appreciate what they have, where they are and the opportunities around them. Their rest is not a cover for complacency but based in a commitment to live each day with trust in God, expressing gratitude for present blessings, and seeking to do their best with what they have been given.
This kind of rest doesn’t happen automatically. It is something only God can give us, but experiencing it requires a concerted effort on our part. We must wrestle with restlessness until it no longer has a grip on us.
The Bible reminds us of the importance or wrestling restlessness and pursuing the blessing of God’s rest:
“Let us. therefore, make every effort to enter that rest … ” – Hebrews 4:11 (NIV)
Are you suffering from the disease of restlessness? There’s a solution. Jesus is the source of rest. He knows how to bring rest to the restless, discontented soul. Jesus said:
“Come to me … and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Don’t let restlessness ruin your life. Go to Jesus for rest. Decide to wrestle the restlessness in your soul. Make every effort to enter into God’s rest. Choose to settle into the love and will of God!
Pastor Dale
There’s a horrible disease that’s silently destroying lots of people. It’s usually hidden and very subtle. It can go undiagnosed and unaddressed for years, and in many cases, for a life time. It wrecks lives, marriages and friendships. It hinders personal effectiveness and restricts personal potential. It steals a person’s peace and joy. It relentlessly drives folks to bad decisions, wrong relationships and misguided actions. It often masquerades as something positive and good, although it really is deadly.
I am referring to a spirit of restlessness.
If you have experienced restlessness you know it’s a terrible condition. It’s the inability to find rest. It’s the lack of settled-ness in one’s soul. It keeps us agitated on the inside. It denies people the benefits and pleasures of their present moments and opportunities.
Restlessness comes in many forms:
Physical restlessness causes us to suffer sleepless nights. Our mind and body deny us the sleep we desperately want and need.
Relational restlessness sabotages our relationships. It keeps us from long-term commitments. Driven by relational restlessness, people float around from place to place and person to person searching for something that doesn’t exist. Controlled by unrealistic relationship expectations, no person or place satisfies them.
Personal restlessness is another expression of this disease. It’s an uneasiness with one’s self. It’s like an ever-present, low-grade spiritual and emotional fever. It keeps us frustrated with ourselves and our lot in life. Nothing makes us happy for very long. We try to cure it with activities, purchases, people and achievements, all to no avail. Restless folks are troubled, driven people.
The solution for restlessness is rest. To rest is to settle down with a contented, peaceful attitude. Rested people are relaxed. They appreciate what they have, where they are and the opportunities around them. Their rest is not a cover for complacency but based in a commitment to live each day with trust in God, expressing gratitude for present blessings, and seeking to do their best with what they have been given.
This kind of rest doesn’t happen automatically. It is something only God can give us, but experiencing it requires a concerted effort on our part. We must wrestle with restlessness until it no longer has a grip on us.
The Bible reminds us of the importance or wrestling restlessness and pursuing the blessing of God’s rest:
“Let us. therefore, make every effort to enter that rest … ” – Hebrews 4:11 (NIV)
Are you suffering from the disease of restlessness? There’s a solution. Jesus is the source of rest. He knows how to bring rest to the restless, discontented soul. Jesus said:
“Come to me … and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Don’t let restlessness ruin your life. Go to Jesus for rest. Decide to wrestle the restlessness in your soul. Make every effort to enter into God’s rest. Choose to settle into the love and will of God!
Pastor Dale
Friday, March 18, 2011
March 18, 2011
Not Guilty!
It starts as a gnawing feeling of embarrassment, chagrin and shame. Our conscience smarts as we think about something we did, said or thought, or something we should’ve done that we didn’t. This inner sting, this warning light of the soul, is called guilt. It reminds us of when and where we have gone astray of right standards, of when and where we have disappointed God and others.
If we don’t deal with guilt properly and promptly it can settle into our hearts and minds and torture us for days, months, years — and sadly for some, even for a lifetime. It silently eats away at our confidence. It can cause us to compromise our character. The unconscious thought is, “If I’m bad already, I might as well continue to do bad things.” Guilt keeps on accusing us, condemning us — drilling into our heads a sense of resignation and defeat.
There are many people who have confessed their sins and failures many times to God but still struggle with a feeling of dirtiness. They can’t seem to shake the guilt and shame — the thought that they are doomed to some horrible fate because of their badness.
How do we get over these feelings? How do we break free from unhealthy, dominating guilt and shame?
The answer is in the Bible:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Take a look at the New Living Translation of this verse:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” – Romans 5:1 (NLT)
Here we find a very important principle — the pathway to freedom from tortuous guilt and shame. This principle is found in a key biblical truth — the truth called “justification by faith.”
As Christian believers we sometimes hear theological terms and phrases that have little meaning for us. We may be able to mentally acknowledge their significance yet still miss the real power of their meaning.
One such term is justification. If you’ve been a believer for any length of time you’re most likely familiar with this word. But what does it really mean? How does it apply to our daily spiritual journey? How does it help us to practically deal with the pangs of guilt that keep reminding us of our sinfulness, weaknesses and failures?
Justification is one of the key doctrinal concepts presented by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. It describes a particular condition before God and relationship with God. It is a legal term that refers to an acquittal or vindication. It means to firmly, decisively and judicially pronounce someone as righteous or right.
The opposite of justification is condemnation. The condemned person has been convicted of wrong-doing and sentenced to painful consequences. That person must live with the reality that they are guilty and must pay for the wrong they have done. In contrast, the justified person has received the word of the judge or jury which declares them innocent. They are set free by this declaration.
What’s the application for us?
The Bible clearly teaches, and human behavior confirms, that mankind is, by nature, sinful. All of us have wandered from the righteousness of God. All of us have violated His holy standards. We are spiritual and moral “convicts.” We rightly deserve to pay the consequences of our actions. This is where the term justification becomes so valuable to us.
God has provided a way in which we can receive an acquittal, a “Not Guilty!” verdict from Him. This is called justification — made “just as if we had never sinned!“
This justification comes through faith in and acceptance of the One who freely paid the consequences of our sins — Jesus Christ.
When we ask Jesus Christ into our lives, when we confess our sins to Him honestly and humbly, we experience this beautiful gift from God called “justification!” It’s a declaration from God that He has acquitted us. We have been set free from condemnation. We are no longer consider guilty by Him!
God has a gift for you today. By faith, accept God’s declaration of “Not Guilty!” Let go of the the guilt and shame you’re carrying for your past sins and failures. Take hold, by faith, of this wonderful gift of justification. Enjoy it and celebration your freedom!
Pastor Dale
It starts as a gnawing feeling of embarrassment, chagrin and shame. Our conscience smarts as we think about something we did, said or thought, or something we should’ve done that we didn’t. This inner sting, this warning light of the soul, is called guilt. It reminds us of when and where we have gone astray of right standards, of when and where we have disappointed God and others.
If we don’t deal with guilt properly and promptly it can settle into our hearts and minds and torture us for days, months, years — and sadly for some, even for a lifetime. It silently eats away at our confidence. It can cause us to compromise our character. The unconscious thought is, “If I’m bad already, I might as well continue to do bad things.” Guilt keeps on accusing us, condemning us — drilling into our heads a sense of resignation and defeat.
There are many people who have confessed their sins and failures many times to God but still struggle with a feeling of dirtiness. They can’t seem to shake the guilt and shame — the thought that they are doomed to some horrible fate because of their badness.
How do we get over these feelings? How do we break free from unhealthy, dominating guilt and shame?
The answer is in the Bible:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Take a look at the New Living Translation of this verse:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” – Romans 5:1 (NLT)
Here we find a very important principle — the pathway to freedom from tortuous guilt and shame. This principle is found in a key biblical truth — the truth called “justification by faith.”
As Christian believers we sometimes hear theological terms and phrases that have little meaning for us. We may be able to mentally acknowledge their significance yet still miss the real power of their meaning.
One such term is justification. If you’ve been a believer for any length of time you’re most likely familiar with this word. But what does it really mean? How does it apply to our daily spiritual journey? How does it help us to practically deal with the pangs of guilt that keep reminding us of our sinfulness, weaknesses and failures?
Justification is one of the key doctrinal concepts presented by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. It describes a particular condition before God and relationship with God. It is a legal term that refers to an acquittal or vindication. It means to firmly, decisively and judicially pronounce someone as righteous or right.
The opposite of justification is condemnation. The condemned person has been convicted of wrong-doing and sentenced to painful consequences. That person must live with the reality that they are guilty and must pay for the wrong they have done. In contrast, the justified person has received the word of the judge or jury which declares them innocent. They are set free by this declaration.
What’s the application for us?
The Bible clearly teaches, and human behavior confirms, that mankind is, by nature, sinful. All of us have wandered from the righteousness of God. All of us have violated His holy standards. We are spiritual and moral “convicts.” We rightly deserve to pay the consequences of our actions. This is where the term justification becomes so valuable to us.
God has provided a way in which we can receive an acquittal, a “Not Guilty!” verdict from Him. This is called justification — made “just as if we had never sinned!“
This justification comes through faith in and acceptance of the One who freely paid the consequences of our sins — Jesus Christ.
When we ask Jesus Christ into our lives, when we confess our sins to Him honestly and humbly, we experience this beautiful gift from God called “justification!” It’s a declaration from God that He has acquitted us. We have been set free from condemnation. We are no longer consider guilty by Him!
God has a gift for you today. By faith, accept God’s declaration of “Not Guilty!” Let go of the the guilt and shame you’re carrying for your past sins and failures. Take hold, by faith, of this wonderful gift of justification. Enjoy it and celebration your freedom!
Pastor Dale
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 17, 2011
“Top Button” Living
Have you ever put on a shirt, blouse or sweater and accidentally buttoned the second button in the first button hole? It doesn’t take long to realize that something is wrong. Your clothes are twisted. They just don’t feel right, and they certainly don’t look right. Once you discover the problem the remedy is simple — get the top button in the right place and all the other buttons will be where they need to be. The look and fit is so must better when we start the right way — when the top button is where it should be.
The “top button principle” applies in so many areas of life. It addresses priorities. When we get first things first, everything else falls into place more naturally and comfortably. When our priorities are out of order, we feel it. Things seem out of place, life seems a bit off balance, and we live in a sort of disheveled way.
Think about the implications of the “top button principle” in your spiritual life. When God is first in your life, everything more quickly falls into its proper place. When you order your time, ministry, work, friendships and finances with the right priorities, life is much easier. It’s also more productive and fulfilling.
Jesus taught the “top button principle:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
Take a look in the spiritual mirror today. Inspect the different areas of your life. Are your top buttons where they need to be? If not, take the steps to order your life by the right priorities. You’ll be glad you did!
Pastor Dale
Have you ever put on a shirt, blouse or sweater and accidentally buttoned the second button in the first button hole? It doesn’t take long to realize that something is wrong. Your clothes are twisted. They just don’t feel right, and they certainly don’t look right. Once you discover the problem the remedy is simple — get the top button in the right place and all the other buttons will be where they need to be. The look and fit is so must better when we start the right way — when the top button is where it should be.
The “top button principle” applies in so many areas of life. It addresses priorities. When we get first things first, everything else falls into place more naturally and comfortably. When our priorities are out of order, we feel it. Things seem out of place, life seems a bit off balance, and we live in a sort of disheveled way.
Think about the implications of the “top button principle” in your spiritual life. When God is first in your life, everything more quickly falls into its proper place. When you order your time, ministry, work, friendships and finances with the right priorities, life is much easier. It’s also more productive and fulfilling.
Jesus taught the “top button principle:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
Take a look in the spiritual mirror today. Inspect the different areas of your life. Are your top buttons where they need to be? If not, take the steps to order your life by the right priorities. You’ll be glad you did!
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 16, 2011
Supernatural!
Do you believe in miracles?
If your answer is yes, then you are a part of the majority. In a recent survey, 8 in 10 people said they believe in miracles. Even folks who described themselves as non-religious affirmed a belief in the miraculous.
According to our English dictionary, a miracle is defined as “a wonder, a marvel, an extraordinary event revealing or ascribed to divine intervention in human affairs.”
When God shows up in someone’s life and does something good and beneficial that can’t be explained by natural reasoning or natural laws, we know that the miraculous has happened.
The Bible is a supernatural book that, from the first chapter to the last, presents God as a living, caring, personal, miracle-working God. It shows us a God who actively intervenes in our world, and in people’s lives with His power. He does things in and for people that cannot be explained by natural reasoning or natural laws.
Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Throughout His earthly ministry, He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, movement to the paralyzed, forgiveness to the shame-filled, and freedom and deliverance to people tortured and tormented by demon spirits. The greatest miracle of all was His resurrection from the dead!
This same Jesus does miracles today:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever we can approach Him with confidence. Any time we face a need that is bigger than our capacity, a problem that defies our solutions, an impossibility that has limited or log-jammed our lives in some way we should boldly go to Him with hope and faith in His love for us and in His power to help us.
Speaking of Jesus’ love and care for us, and His willingness to miraculously help us, the writer of Hebrews described the perspective we should have in going to Him with our needs:
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Whatever you are facing today, remember that the God of the Bible is a God who still does miracles. Through Jesus Christ, you can confidently approach Him with your needs and trust Him to do the supernatural in your life!
Pastor Dale
Do you believe in miracles?
If your answer is yes, then you are a part of the majority. In a recent survey, 8 in 10 people said they believe in miracles. Even folks who described themselves as non-religious affirmed a belief in the miraculous.
According to our English dictionary, a miracle is defined as “a wonder, a marvel, an extraordinary event revealing or ascribed to divine intervention in human affairs.”
When God shows up in someone’s life and does something good and beneficial that can’t be explained by natural reasoning or natural laws, we know that the miraculous has happened.
The Bible is a supernatural book that, from the first chapter to the last, presents God as a living, caring, personal, miracle-working God. It shows us a God who actively intervenes in our world, and in people’s lives with His power. He does things in and for people that cannot be explained by natural reasoning or natural laws.
Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Throughout His earthly ministry, He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, movement to the paralyzed, forgiveness to the shame-filled, and freedom and deliverance to people tortured and tormented by demon spirits. The greatest miracle of all was His resurrection from the dead!
This same Jesus does miracles today:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever we can approach Him with confidence. Any time we face a need that is bigger than our capacity, a problem that defies our solutions, an impossibility that has limited or log-jammed our lives in some way we should boldly go to Him with hope and faith in His love for us and in His power to help us.
Speaking of Jesus’ love and care for us, and His willingness to miraculously help us, the writer of Hebrews described the perspective we should have in going to Him with our needs:
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Whatever you are facing today, remember that the God of the Bible is a God who still does miracles. Through Jesus Christ, you can confidently approach Him with your needs and trust Him to do the supernatural in your life!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
March 15, 2011
Wise Up!
Remember the last time you said something that immediately embarrassed you. Seconds after the words slipped past your lips you were kicking yourself mentally for saying something so ridiculous, so insensitive, so juvenile, so unnecessary.
Or how about the last time you made a decision that soon proved to be a bad one. Maybe impulsiveness or impatience hijacked your better sense, or emotional frustration triggered a reaction in you that you really regretted. Whatever the case, you were left with unpleasant consequences.
We have all had moments like these –– times when we said or did dumb, foolish things –– times when we demonstrated a deficit of something called wisdom, prudence, discretion and discernment.
What should we do at times like these? Better yet, how can we avoid them altogether, or at least lower our “foolishness” quotient?
Recovering from such slip-ups is really not complicated. The first step is to admit to ourselves that we could’ve and should’ve handled the situation better. Breaking through the tendency to blame our dumbness on someone or something else is the beginning point for growing wiser. Many times this personal ownership for our faults and failures calls for an acknowledgment and apology to others. When we have done something foolish, the best response is humility.
Growing wiser happens in several major ways. We grow wiser by:
Studying the principles of God’s Word –– the Bible –– and observing the practices of wise people.
The Bible is a treasure trove of wisdom that few people thoroughly explore. Dig into Scripture. You’ll be amazed at what you learn. Study the lives of godly, productive people. Their biographies will become great guides for better living.
Continually asking God for wisdom.
God is the God of wisdom. He gives wisdom to people who ask for it, and take time to listen to His voice of instruction and guidance.
Getting control of our emotions.
Most of the foolish things we do are the result of some emotion that got out of hand. Anger, resentment, impatience, hurt, grief, loneliness, and the like often lead us to do and say things that we regret. Unbridled negative emotions, even when we are not conscious of them, distort thinking and perception. They cause all kinds of problems for us.
Learning lessons from the mistakes of others.
While we wish no bad on others, it is always better to learn from someone else’s mistake than it is from our own. Why waste a lesson you can learn from something foolish someone else did. Pay attention and grow wise!
Learning lessons from your own mistakes.
We should pay attention to lessons God wants to teach us from our own life experiences. When you make a mistake, don’t fail to take something good with you from it. When you fail, fail forward by learning lessons for the future.
A better life is the result of better decisions. Let’s wise up!
Pastor Dale
Remember the last time you said something that immediately embarrassed you. Seconds after the words slipped past your lips you were kicking yourself mentally for saying something so ridiculous, so insensitive, so juvenile, so unnecessary.
Or how about the last time you made a decision that soon proved to be a bad one. Maybe impulsiveness or impatience hijacked your better sense, or emotional frustration triggered a reaction in you that you really regretted. Whatever the case, you were left with unpleasant consequences.
We have all had moments like these –– times when we said or did dumb, foolish things –– times when we demonstrated a deficit of something called wisdom, prudence, discretion and discernment.
What should we do at times like these? Better yet, how can we avoid them altogether, or at least lower our “foolishness” quotient?
Recovering from such slip-ups is really not complicated. The first step is to admit to ourselves that we could’ve and should’ve handled the situation better. Breaking through the tendency to blame our dumbness on someone or something else is the beginning point for growing wiser. Many times this personal ownership for our faults and failures calls for an acknowledgment and apology to others. When we have done something foolish, the best response is humility.
Growing wiser happens in several major ways. We grow wiser by:
Studying the principles of God’s Word –– the Bible –– and observing the practices of wise people.
The Bible is a treasure trove of wisdom that few people thoroughly explore. Dig into Scripture. You’ll be amazed at what you learn. Study the lives of godly, productive people. Their biographies will become great guides for better living.
Continually asking God for wisdom.
God is the God of wisdom. He gives wisdom to people who ask for it, and take time to listen to His voice of instruction and guidance.
Getting control of our emotions.
Most of the foolish things we do are the result of some emotion that got out of hand. Anger, resentment, impatience, hurt, grief, loneliness, and the like often lead us to do and say things that we regret. Unbridled negative emotions, even when we are not conscious of them, distort thinking and perception. They cause all kinds of problems for us.
Learning lessons from the mistakes of others.
While we wish no bad on others, it is always better to learn from someone else’s mistake than it is from our own. Why waste a lesson you can learn from something foolish someone else did. Pay attention and grow wise!
Learning lessons from your own mistakes.
We should pay attention to lessons God wants to teach us from our own life experiences. When you make a mistake, don’t fail to take something good with you from it. When you fail, fail forward by learning lessons for the future.
A better life is the result of better decisions. Let’s wise up!
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14, 2011
A prayer for Japan.
Luke 13: 1-5
Unless You Turn to God
"About that time some people came up and told him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar. Jesus responded, "Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die. And those eighteen in Jerusalem the other day, the ones crushed and killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed and fell on them, do you think they were worse citizens than all other Jerusalemites? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die."
Luke 13: 1-5
Unless You Turn to God
"About that time some people came up and told him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar. Jesus responded, "Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die. And those eighteen in Jerusalem the other day, the ones crushed and killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed and fell on them, do you think they were worse citizens than all other Jerusalemites? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die."
Friday, March 11, 2011
March 11, 2011
Addendum:
Our prayers are golden bowls of incense in worship before Him.
Rev. 5:8, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
All created beings say…
Rev. 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”
Rev. 7-15
• 7 Seals
• 7 Trumpets
• 7 Thunders
• 7 angels
• 7 golden bowls full of the wrath of God
• 7 plagues
Fiery Red Dragon
• 7 heads
• 7 diadems
• 7 mountains
• 7 kings
In the New Jerusalem
Rev. 21:
• 12 gates
• 12 angels
• 12 tribes
• 12 foundations
• 12 apostles
• 12,000 stadia in length
• 12x12 cubits = height of the wall
• 12 precious stones adorn the walls
• 12 pearls
• 12 harvests
Our prayers are golden bowls of incense in worship before Him.
Rev. 5:8, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
All created beings say…
Rev. 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”
Rev. 7-15
• 7 Seals
• 7 Trumpets
• 7 Thunders
• 7 angels
• 7 golden bowls full of the wrath of God
• 7 plagues
Fiery Red Dragon
• 7 heads
• 7 diadems
• 7 mountains
• 7 kings
In the New Jerusalem
Rev. 21:
• 12 gates
• 12 angels
• 12 tribes
• 12 foundations
• 12 apostles
• 12,000 stadia in length
• 12x12 cubits = height of the wall
• 12 precious stones adorn the walls
• 12 pearls
• 12 harvests
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 10, 2011
40. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11)
“I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Rev. 21:6c.)
Lord, I thirst.
“I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Rev. 21:6c.)
Lord, I thirst.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9, 2011
39. We must be overcomers! The other choice to too awful to contemplate.
Rev. 3:5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
Rev. 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
Rev. 3:19-21, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
Rev. 3:5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
Rev. 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
Rev. 3:19-21, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 8, 2011
38. What you have sacrificed so far is miniscule compared with the sacrifice of the church at Smyrna.
Rev. 2:8-11, "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
v10a. "Do not fear any of these things that you are about to suffer..."
Rev. 2:8-11, "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
v10a. "Do not fear any of these things that you are about to suffer..."
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7, 2011
37. Keep yourselves from idols little children.
I John 5:21, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
I John 5:21, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
Friday, March 4, 2011
March 4, 2011
36. His commandments are not burdensome.
I John 5:3-5, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
* Whoever is born of God overcomes the world.
* The victory...our faith.
* We have the Son, therefore, we have life.
I John 5:12, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
I John 5:3-5, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
* Whoever is born of God overcomes the world.
* The victory...our faith.
* We have the Son, therefore, we have life.
I John 5:12, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
35. Walk as Jesus walked!?!
I John 2:6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
I John 2:6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2, 2011
Scott Smiley: A Soldier's Sacrifice
By Julie Blim with Chuck Holton
The 700 Club
CBN.com –“There’s no training here in America that will prepare you for live bullets flying by your head, seeing your buddies wounded. On April 6th of 2005, we received intelligence in the morning that there was car bombs and men willing to blow themselves up. (I) yelled at him to get out of his car, and he just raised his hands up to me and looked at me like nothing’s wrong....that’s when I shot two rounds in front of his vehicle, and then my world went black.”
Shrapnel sliced through Lt. Scotty Smiley’s left eye. Metallic bits penetrated his skull and shredded his right optic nerve. In an instant, his life turned a corner that he never would have chosen.
Prior to that terrifying moment, Scotty’s story read like a dream: raised in a loving Christian home, a West Point grad, an Army Ranger with a bright career ahead. He was also newly married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany … “Scotty and I met in junior high. I had a crush on him and liked him. He asked me out on a date and then we dated through our senior year, and then dated through West Point ... And I was like okay, Scotty, you’re the one for me. There’s no one else out here like you.”
Scotty and Tiffany married on December 20th, 2003.
“In October of 2004, I was deployed to Mosul, Iraq.”
“What was it like when you got to Iraq?”
“Whether it was giving the people of Iraq electricity, ensuring the gasoline was being provided, each and every day brought something new. And I really saw not only myself but my men tested through fire. It was difficult to see my soldiers get injured. Several of my soldiers were shot, several of my soldiers were injured by explosives.”
Then it happened to Scotty.
“I got a phone call around 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning and he said, ‘You know, Tiffany, Scotty’s been hurt. He’s been hurt really bad.’ Then I got a phone call from the doctor in Balad, and he said, ‘We removed his eye, and I’m really sorry ma’am we left his other eye in, but we’re probably going to have to remove it.’ And that was the most crushing piece of news I could have received.”
Doctors operated on Scotty and sent him home to the US. Learning to live as a blind man was more painful than he or Tiffany imagined.
“It was a hard time. I was definitely in the bottom of my life. I was low, as low as low can be. I didn’t want to believe. I said that I didn’t know how to pray, I didn’t know if God was even alive, or even in my life.”
“And his friend asked him, you know, Scotty, will you pray, and he said ‘No, I don’t even know who God is anymore.’ And that crushed me….and that night I remember going back to my room and praying, not for Scotty’s eyesight, which I had been praying for, but I went back and prayed for his heart.”
“My mind was still in Iraq...and to realize that I now was not with them, that I felt I wasn’t doing my job. That I had left them, that I was unsuccessful. I was afraid that my wife, you know, who married me and said till death do you part, was just going to have to take care of me. I was now just a burden in her life, a burden in my family and friends’ life, and that was not something I ever wanted to be.”
“There were definitely days where it was just me and the Lord ...and this was the first time that I was walking by myself, Scotty wasn’t walking with me. I’d wake up in the morning and say, I just need you to get me through today, just help me get through today, give me the grace to be a good wife to Scotty.”
“What turned the depression around?”
“It was the prayer that my wife continually was giving for me. It was her reading the Bible to me. It was my brother quoting scriptures. My brother taking care of me ...”
“Five years after his injury, Scotty’s life has in some ways come full circle. He’s now back here at West Point, not as a cadet, but as a commander.”
Scotty’s job now is helping other wounded soldiers recover and get their lives back…
“I am the company commander of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit. I was injured, I went through depression, I went through the mental, physical, and spiritual recovery process and I think i’ve been given this wonderful opportunity because I understand what they are going through.”
Now CaptainScotty Smiley has turned his story into a book, sharing how he’s learned to trust the Lord. Oh, and in his spare time - he’s managed to earn an MBA, climb Mt. Rainier, skydive, and surf too.
“Standing on that board was an exhilarating feeling. To do something on my own, of my own strength, gave me the ability to know that God still is with me and that He can still allow me to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do.”
The Smileys are now the proud parents of two little boys… “I have to help out and whether it means cleaning a dirty diaper, giving my sons food, giving them baths, putting them to bed, playing with them at the park, God still has a plan for me and that being a father is one of those awesome responsibilities that he’s blessed me with.”
He even plans to use his prosthetic eyes for a little fun ….
“When my boys’ friends come over, I can just place ‘em on the counter and say “I’m watchin’ you – even when I’m outta the room.”
How has your love for your wife has deepened?
“Tiffany is the most amazing person that I could ever imagine God blessing my life with. Her attitude, her personality, her perseverance, her strength, her determination to not only help me, help our relationship has just been an amazing blessing in our lives. I don’t know if I can explain how much I love her and how much she means to me.”
“At first it bothered me more than it does now. We went through our struggles and started to change, we started to walk back on our path with the Lord together, He kind of just covered and healed all of that to where our relationship is stronger now probably than it would have been with his sight, which is crazy to say. But I still dress up, I still wear make up and I tell him that. I’m like you better comb your hair because my hair looks good.”
“The words that I read in the Bible prior to all of this became real. It was like oh, this is the peace that surpasses all understanding, you know, this is the hope that carries you through. So it all came to life for me. There’s still times where we’re like ‘Yeah, we wish Scotty could see.’ But what God has taught us through His word .. And going through this trial and this valley with the Lord, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
“A lot of people look at the events in my life as a huge tragedy, and I don’t, necessarily. I think God has given me the ability to understand Him more and to understand His purpose through my blindness. The first person that I’m going to see is going to be Jesus Christ reaching down to me and I just hope that He says, good job, good and faithful servant.”
“And the second person you’ll see?”
“Oh, my beautiful wife!”
By Julie Blim with Chuck Holton
The 700 Club
CBN.com
Shrapnel sliced through Lt. Scotty Smiley’s left eye. Metallic bits penetrated his skull and shredded his right optic nerve. In an instant, his life turned a corner that he never would have chosen.
Prior to that terrifying moment, Scotty’s story read like a dream: raised in a loving Christian home, a West Point grad, an Army Ranger with a bright career ahead. He was also newly married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany … “Scotty and I met in junior high. I had a crush on him and liked him. He asked me out on a date and then we dated through our senior year, and then dated through West Point ... And I was like okay, Scotty, you’re the one for me. There’s no one else out here like you.”
Scotty and Tiffany married on December 20th, 2003.
“In October of 2004, I was deployed to Mosul, Iraq.”
“What was it like when you got to Iraq?”
“Whether it was giving the people of Iraq electricity, ensuring the gasoline was being provided, each and every day brought something new. And I really saw not only myself but my men tested through fire. It was difficult to see my soldiers get injured. Several of my soldiers were shot, several of my soldiers were injured by explosives.”
Then it happened to Scotty.
“I got a phone call around 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning and he said, ‘You know, Tiffany, Scotty’s been hurt. He’s been hurt really bad.’ Then I got a phone call from the doctor in Balad, and he said, ‘We removed his eye, and I’m really sorry ma’am we left his other eye in, but we’re probably going to have to remove it.’ And that was the most crushing piece of news I could have received.”
Doctors operated on Scotty and sent him home to the US. Learning to live as a blind man was more painful than he or Tiffany imagined.
“It was a hard time. I was definitely in the bottom of my life. I was low, as low as low can be. I didn’t want to believe. I said that I didn’t know how to pray, I didn’t know if God was even alive, or even in my life.”
“And his friend asked him, you know, Scotty, will you pray, and he said ‘No, I don’t even know who God is anymore.’ And that crushed me….and that night I remember going back to my room and praying, not for Scotty’s eyesight, which I had been praying for, but I went back and prayed for his heart.”
“My mind was still in Iraq...and to realize that I now was not with them, that I felt I wasn’t doing my job. That I had left them, that I was unsuccessful. I was afraid that my wife, you know, who married me and said till death do you part, was just going to have to take care of me. I was now just a burden in her life, a burden in my family and friends’ life, and that was not something I ever wanted to be.”
“There were definitely days where it was just me and the Lord ...and this was the first time that I was walking by myself, Scotty wasn’t walking with me. I’d wake up in the morning and say, I just need you to get me through today, just help me get through today, give me the grace to be a good wife to Scotty.”
“What turned the depression around?”
“It was the prayer that my wife continually was giving for me. It was her reading the Bible to me. It was my brother quoting scriptures. My brother taking care of me ...”
“Five years after his injury, Scotty’s life has in some ways come full circle. He’s now back here at West Point, not as a cadet, but as a commander.”
Scotty’s job now is helping other wounded soldiers recover and get their lives back…
“I am the company commander of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit. I was injured, I went through depression, I went through the mental, physical, and spiritual recovery process and I think i’ve been given this wonderful opportunity because I understand what they are going through.”
Now CaptainScotty Smiley has turned his story into a book, sharing how he’s learned to trust the Lord. Oh, and in his spare time - he’s managed to earn an MBA, climb Mt. Rainier, skydive, and surf too.
“Standing on that board was an exhilarating feeling. To do something on my own, of my own strength, gave me the ability to know that God still is with me and that He can still allow me to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do.”
The Smileys are now the proud parents of two little boys… “I have to help out and whether it means cleaning a dirty diaper, giving my sons food, giving them baths, putting them to bed, playing with them at the park, God still has a plan for me and that being a father is one of those awesome responsibilities that he’s blessed me with.”
He even plans to use his prosthetic eyes for a little fun ….
“When my boys’ friends come over, I can just place ‘em on the counter and say “I’m watchin’ you – even when I’m outta the room.”
How has your love for your wife has deepened?
“Tiffany is the most amazing person that I could ever imagine God blessing my life with. Her attitude, her personality, her perseverance, her strength, her determination to not only help me, help our relationship has just been an amazing blessing in our lives. I don’t know if I can explain how much I love her and how much she means to me.”
“At first it bothered me more than it does now. We went through our struggles and started to change, we started to walk back on our path with the Lord together, He kind of just covered and healed all of that to where our relationship is stronger now probably than it would have been with his sight, which is crazy to say. But I still dress up, I still wear make up and I tell him that. I’m like you better comb your hair because my hair looks good.”
“The words that I read in the Bible prior to all of this became real. It was like oh, this is the peace that surpasses all understanding, you know, this is the hope that carries you through. So it all came to life for me. There’s still times where we’re like ‘Yeah, we wish Scotty could see.’ But what God has taught us through His word .. And going through this trial and this valley with the Lord, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
“A lot of people look at the events in my life as a huge tragedy, and I don’t, necessarily. I think God has given me the ability to understand Him more and to understand His purpose through my blindness. The first person that I’m going to see is going to be Jesus Christ reaching down to me and I just hope that He says, good job, good and faithful servant.”
“And the second person you’ll see?”
“Oh, my beautiful wife!”
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March 1, 2011
34. Confess my sin to Sue.
I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
It will give me greater spiritual strength to resist temptation the next time.
Rev. 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
It will give me greater spiritual strength to resist temptation the next time.
Rev. 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
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