There are only two kinds of people in the world:
1. Givers and 2. Takers
Misers are miserable people, the givers are the happiest people in the world. When you give your time away, your energy, your money, God says, "I will not be in debt to you."
The Bible says, "He who gives to the poor is like lending to the Lord." God always repays!
The Bible says, "The generous man, himself will be blessed."
Ask yourself, how have you been blessed?
If you have not learned yet to be generous, you are just cheating yourself! You really are!
God takes notice of every good thing you do.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
God will not forget all that you give to the glory of God.
You may think, "I really don't have the time or resources to be a giver. I'm too busy!" But you do it anyway! God takes notice! God is remembering and will reward you generously.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Preparing for Sunday
It's another late night getting ready to encounter God tommorrow. I have to do this and finish that. Everything needs to be ready.
When you know that you have an important appointment with someone, how do you prepare? Do you straggle in late unprepared for the questions that may be asked of you? Not committed to even give the time it takes to give your best? Or do you seek to be the best during that visit?
I know sometimes I get sloppy with God. He is so great, so grand and many times I can give Him my leftovers. I may "look" prepared but am I really? Is my heart ready for the encounter? Do I even want it to happen sometimes knowing that it will mean change in some of the things I am doing? Sometimes the encounter makes me uncomfortable,...with me.
Lord, I'm sorry. You know I desire to know You and all of Your ways. Forgive me, as Your child, in and for the laziness of my life. Focus me, Lord, to desire You from my inner man. Lord, I love You.
May I say and mean the words of John, the beloved of Christ...
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
When you know that you have an important appointment with someone, how do you prepare? Do you straggle in late unprepared for the questions that may be asked of you? Not committed to even give the time it takes to give your best? Or do you seek to be the best during that visit?
I know sometimes I get sloppy with God. He is so great, so grand and many times I can give Him my leftovers. I may "look" prepared but am I really? Is my heart ready for the encounter? Do I even want it to happen sometimes knowing that it will mean change in some of the things I am doing? Sometimes the encounter makes me uncomfortable,...with me.
Lord, I'm sorry. You know I desire to know You and all of Your ways. Forgive me, as Your child, in and for the laziness of my life. Focus me, Lord, to desire You from my inner man. Lord, I love You.
May I say and mean the words of John, the beloved of Christ...
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Days Go By Quickly
My friend, Elaine, just had her birthday today. She looked at me as I wished her happy birthday to see if I would use the word, ..."old" in my greeting. Wisely, I did not. She smiled.
Time moves on. One day you are playing on the swing set in the backyard and the next you're seeing your children off to college. Zoom!
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Paul wrote to warn us of the flighting life of time. It passes quickly for those of us wanting to get something done. He commands us to throw off stuff that is unhealthy and get dressed for combat. Time is not the issue,...Quality of our time is the issue.
What makes us use time wisely? God. Knowing and doing the will of God. How do you know God's will? It must begin with accepting His Son as your Lord and Saviour. His will is clearly explained and revealed in the Scriptures. God uses godly men and women to speak His will into those He is directing. To hear God say, "Well done" will mean a whole lot to us when the day comes. Are we ready to meet our Maker?
Your birthday just lets everyone know you made it around the sun one more year. You remained on the planet and got through to the other side. You did nothing to earn this birthday but remain alive. Let's do something to live life!
Time moves on. One day you are playing on the swing set in the backyard and the next you're seeing your children off to college. Zoom!
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Paul wrote to warn us of the flighting life of time. It passes quickly for those of us wanting to get something done. He commands us to throw off stuff that is unhealthy and get dressed for combat. Time is not the issue,...Quality of our time is the issue.
What makes us use time wisely? God. Knowing and doing the will of God. How do you know God's will? It must begin with accepting His Son as your Lord and Saviour. His will is clearly explained and revealed in the Scriptures. God uses godly men and women to speak His will into those He is directing. To hear God say, "Well done" will mean a whole lot to us when the day comes. Are we ready to meet our Maker?
Your birthday just lets everyone know you made it around the sun one more year. You remained on the planet and got through to the other side. You did nothing to earn this birthday but remain alive. Let's do something to live life!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Another Day Another Dollar
What are we working for? $8 per hour? $10? $40? $400? It doesn't matter if we are working for any amount if our focus is wrong from the centre, it's wrong.
Eph 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
It is difficult to not work for more money. More prestige. More ____________ (fill in the blank). The trouble with these reasons, they open us up for a sell out life. Almost all will struggle in this area of life - money for time. The more we get, the more important we think we are.
The thought is doctors are more important than mechanics, businessmen more important that housewives, etc. The world tells us this lie and we begin to chase it. But God through His Word refocuses us on the true value of man. No amount of money can be given for his time. He or she is a priceless creature. Made by God Himself and set apart by Him for His purposes.
Go to work with Eph 6:5-7 and you'll probably get a raise in a few months, be given more authority, and yet you'll work with a new freedom few experience. When a person understands their value and identity and then serve others, the service is no longer given because they are weak but because they have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God.
Look at the example of Jesus...
John 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
Jesus knew who He was
Jesus knew His incredible value
Jesus humbled Himself as an act of worship to His Father
Jesus was free to be a servant to man because He was owned by no man
Let's work as unto the Lord because we are His.
Eph 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
It is difficult to not work for more money. More prestige. More ____________ (fill in the blank). The trouble with these reasons, they open us up for a sell out life. Almost all will struggle in this area of life - money for time. The more we get, the more important we think we are.
The thought is doctors are more important than mechanics, businessmen more important that housewives, etc. The world tells us this lie and we begin to chase it. But God through His Word refocuses us on the true value of man. No amount of money can be given for his time. He or she is a priceless creature. Made by God Himself and set apart by Him for His purposes.
Go to work with Eph 6:5-7 and you'll probably get a raise in a few months, be given more authority, and yet you'll work with a new freedom few experience. When a person understands their value and identity and then serve others, the service is no longer given because they are weak but because they have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God.
Look at the example of Jesus...
John 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
Jesus knew who He was
Jesus knew His incredible value
Jesus humbled Himself as an act of worship to His Father
Jesus was free to be a servant to man because He was owned by no man
Let's work as unto the Lord because we are His.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Up and Down Days
There is great pressure to let the past or present circumstances to overwhelmn us. The situation begins to dictate how our day is going to go. The Apostle Paul learned a secret...
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The wisdom in this one statment is profound. Paul's life seemed to be challenge after challenge, from friend letting him down to enemies trying to bring him down. But he learned a secret,...how to be content.
The source of his secret was found in verse 13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Christ was truely his everything. He lived to see His glory be revealed to all who came into contact with him. He renewed his mind with good thoughts of His Lord in charge or all and willing his life to be what it was. He stopped resisting the pain and embraced it as an act of worship before his God.
Paul was a powerful man of God because He fully trusted in his God. If we want to have the strength of God than we must be willing to not be in charge. God is to be in charge. I must be willing to say, not my way but His way. I must be willing to embrace everything that comes my way as a premission from God to bring Him glory in this certain situation,...good or bad. Job discovered this secret after his lost everything,...
Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:
“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Joseph discovered this secret after he was sold into Egypt by his brothers,...
Genesis 50:19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
We can live in this secret world also. For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The wisdom in this one statment is profound. Paul's life seemed to be challenge after challenge, from friend letting him down to enemies trying to bring him down. But he learned a secret,...how to be content.
The source of his secret was found in verse 13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Christ was truely his everything. He lived to see His glory be revealed to all who came into contact with him. He renewed his mind with good thoughts of His Lord in charge or all and willing his life to be what it was. He stopped resisting the pain and embraced it as an act of worship before his God.
Paul was a powerful man of God because He fully trusted in his God. If we want to have the strength of God than we must be willing to not be in charge. God is to be in charge. I must be willing to say, not my way but His way. I must be willing to embrace everything that comes my way as a premission from God to bring Him glory in this certain situation,...good or bad. Job discovered this secret after his lost everything,...
Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:
“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Joseph discovered this secret after he was sold into Egypt by his brothers,...
Genesis 50:19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
We can live in this secret world also. For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
He Gives His Beloved Sleep
Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
This verse was going through my mind this morning. Here I am sitting up late and I have to rise early to lead a Business Men's Bible study at 6:33AM, after the verse Matthew 6:33.
The LORD never sleeps. Never forgets to be faithful. Never comes into a situation too late or too early. The LORD is perfect in all of His ways. So we can sleep! We can rest in Him.
I am a person that can survive quite fine on two or three hours of sleep a night. I've been doing it for years, with no strange side effects (many may argue with me on this point). I do most of my studying between the hours 11PM to 5AM. I enjoy this time the most. I get up by 8:30AM so I am at work at 9AM. I've been doing this for years. But I remember this verse...
God wants us to rest in Him. To be trusting that He will take care of it. "It" is whatever it needs to be. He stays awake. He watches over the whole world. We can rest. He builds our house.
The meaning of this verse to me is if you stress out by staying up late to make things happen and rise early to get your plans into play, you have missed the point of life. The point of life is to trust the God of LIFE. He enjoys caring, building and developing His children into a complete trust relationship with Him.
I rest in this truth! I may not need much sleep but I need much rest! Thank you, LORD!
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
This verse was going through my mind this morning. Here I am sitting up late and I have to rise early to lead a Business Men's Bible study at 6:33AM, after the verse Matthew 6:33.
The LORD never sleeps. Never forgets to be faithful. Never comes into a situation too late or too early. The LORD is perfect in all of His ways. So we can sleep! We can rest in Him.
I am a person that can survive quite fine on two or three hours of sleep a night. I've been doing it for years, with no strange side effects (many may argue with me on this point). I do most of my studying between the hours 11PM to 5AM. I enjoy this time the most. I get up by 8:30AM so I am at work at 9AM. I've been doing this for years. But I remember this verse...
God wants us to rest in Him. To be trusting that He will take care of it. "It" is whatever it needs to be. He stays awake. He watches over the whole world. We can rest. He builds our house.
The meaning of this verse to me is if you stress out by staying up late to make things happen and rise early to get your plans into play, you have missed the point of life. The point of life is to trust the God of LIFE. He enjoys caring, building and developing His children into a complete trust relationship with Him.
I rest in this truth! I may not need much sleep but I need much rest! Thank you, LORD!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A Day of Worship
Sunday has come and gone. Worship this morning was GREAT! The worship team truely lead us in worship. As they sung I felt I too must join them.
The Psalmist wrote...
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Worship is simple. Come into His presence with singing, thankfulness & praise.
Worship is profound. His presence is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who is worthy! Oh LORD!
The Psalmist wrote...
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Worship is simple. Come into His presence with singing, thankfulness & praise.
Worship is profound. His presence is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who is worthy! Oh LORD!
Friday, September 21, 2007
People of Importance
On Sunday the Mayor of Delta will speak at Royal Heights. The message is "Thankful for Our Commnunity" and Lois Jackson is a perfect person to express this for us. Our Mayor agreed to speak because she is a part of the Delta community and is truely thankful for this city.
God brings people of importance or influence into the life of His church. These people are set over cities and communities to watch over the people whom they serve. To serve people in a way that bring fairness and justice to the larger community is a real challenge. We, as Christians, are instructed by the Scriptures to respect people who have been set at this special post.
Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
God is practical in His love. Those who He sets over us are a part of His plan of caring for us. I do not really know the Mayor of Delta very well but I do know we are to honour her. This week's coming service should give us opportunity to thank someone who is doing the job of caring over us. Come out and bring someone. Mayor Jackson will speak for a few minutes during the sermon time about her thankfulness for our community.
Let's encourage those who encourage us.
God brings people of importance or influence into the life of His church. These people are set over cities and communities to watch over the people whom they serve. To serve people in a way that bring fairness and justice to the larger community is a real challenge. We, as Christians, are instructed by the Scriptures to respect people who have been set at this special post.
Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
God is practical in His love. Those who He sets over us are a part of His plan of caring for us. I do not really know the Mayor of Delta very well but I do know we are to honour her. This week's coming service should give us opportunity to thank someone who is doing the job of caring over us. Come out and bring someone. Mayor Jackson will speak for a few minutes during the sermon time about her thankfulness for our community.
Let's encourage those who encourage us.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Power of a Movement
Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
What does it take to turn our world upside down?
As I look at the history of church, it seems to happen where certain experiences come together.
1. A passionate desire to see the unsaved come to know the Saviour.
2. A willingness to do whatever the Lord says to see the kingdom come with power.
3. Truth that is expected to be lived out in "real" life.
If it was told to you, with complete confidence and knowledge, the world was going to end in exactly three years (September 20, 2010)? What would you do to reach as many as you could for the King's sake? How would you structure the church body? What would you train the people to do? How would you train them? What would you do different than you are doing now?
Passion is living with a sense of urgency! People who turn the world upside down are passionate. Are we passionate to seek and save the lost? If not, why not?
Have you told someone this week about the Kingdom of God?
What does it take to turn our world upside down?
As I look at the history of church, it seems to happen where certain experiences come together.
1. A passionate desire to see the unsaved come to know the Saviour.
2. A willingness to do whatever the Lord says to see the kingdom come with power.
3. Truth that is expected to be lived out in "real" life.
If it was told to you, with complete confidence and knowledge, the world was going to end in exactly three years (September 20, 2010)? What would you do to reach as many as you could for the King's sake? How would you structure the church body? What would you train the people to do? How would you train them? What would you do different than you are doing now?
Passion is living with a sense of urgency! People who turn the world upside down are passionate. Are we passionate to seek and save the lost? If not, why not?
Have you told someone this week about the Kingdom of God?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Ol' Wise One
It was a joy to be at the Cedar Springs Retreat Centre these past two days listening to David Needham speak. He did a tremendous job bringing us the Word of God in such a clear way. At the end of the retreat I wanted my relationship with God to be deeper and more profound.
The Bible encourages us to move away from being a baby believer to becoming a man or a person whom God can and will use to do things that bring Him great glory. "...attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). "...leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity" (Heb. 6:1).
What is a "baby" Christian like?
1. Concerned about themselves instead of those around them.
Does a baby think twice about screaming out their needs even if it is two o'clock in the morning and the parents are fast asleep? Do they care that their mother is tired? It is all about them and their needs.
2. They will argue more than do the right action.
As the child grows they must constantly be told to stop that and don't touch this. When they are rebuked they often turn and attempt to argue that they have a right to these things and to have their way. They attempt to try to get the more mature ones around them to agree with them and their ways.
3. They look for resources that will help them no matter where they come from.
Children are often more concerned about immediate gratification. Baby Christians often use human systems to get gratification quickly instead of waiting on the Lord to bring them satisfaction. Remember the early temptations of Christ - do it this way, says the Evil One.
David Needhma proved himself to be a mature Christian. Humble in his teaching yet deep in his understanding. In his presence I sensed that he wanted me to know what he was saying would help me forever. It was not a quick fix but a lasting truth. I have been refreshed. May I be such a person for others.
The Bible encourages us to move away from being a baby believer to becoming a man or a person whom God can and will use to do things that bring Him great glory. "...attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). "...leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity" (Heb. 6:1).
What is a "baby" Christian like?
1. Concerned about themselves instead of those around them.
Does a baby think twice about screaming out their needs even if it is two o'clock in the morning and the parents are fast asleep? Do they care that their mother is tired? It is all about them and their needs.
2. They will argue more than do the right action.
As the child grows they must constantly be told to stop that and don't touch this. When they are rebuked they often turn and attempt to argue that they have a right to these things and to have their way. They attempt to try to get the more mature ones around them to agree with them and their ways.
3. They look for resources that will help them no matter where they come from.
Children are often more concerned about immediate gratification. Baby Christians often use human systems to get gratification quickly instead of waiting on the Lord to bring them satisfaction. Remember the early temptations of Christ - do it this way, says the Evil One.
David Needhma proved himself to be a mature Christian. Humble in his teaching yet deep in his understanding. In his presence I sensed that he wanted me to know what he was saying would help me forever. It was not a quick fix but a lasting truth. I have been refreshed. May I be such a person for others.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Simple Truth
Wanda and I are off to a retreat at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Centre in Sumas, Washington. This has been given to us as a gift, we are so thankful. The main speaker will be David Needham, the man who wrote one of my favorite books, Brithright.
I remember reading Birthright, it had a life transforming impact on my understanding of my true identity in Christ. This teaching has remained the centre of my ministry. "We are righteous beings that sin, not sinners trying to be righteous", this one statement is profound. We are righteous! In Christ! God has made us holy!
One of the first doctrines we teach every new believer that becomes involved with Royal Heights is this central teaching. Justification by faith! God has justified us before Him. From this identity we then ask people to live out their Christian experience. Not try to please God so you can receive His blessings in life. We have been made pleasing to God by His Son, live as a being that He is in love with and cares deeply for. Live from the heart teaching that we are complete in Christ.
I am anticipating a great retreat. The woman I love, the God I enjoy and a saint who I respect. It will be great!
I remember reading Birthright, it had a life transforming impact on my understanding of my true identity in Christ. This teaching has remained the centre of my ministry. "We are righteous beings that sin, not sinners trying to be righteous", this one statement is profound. We are righteous! In Christ! God has made us holy!
One of the first doctrines we teach every new believer that becomes involved with Royal Heights is this central teaching. Justification by faith! God has justified us before Him. From this identity we then ask people to live out their Christian experience. Not try to please God so you can receive His blessings in life. We have been made pleasing to God by His Son, live as a being that He is in love with and cares deeply for. Live from the heart teaching that we are complete in Christ.
I am anticipating a great retreat. The woman I love, the God I enjoy and a saint who I respect. It will be great!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Power of Gathering
We live in a world of individual rights, my personal space, and what's in it for me. The individual seems to be the center of everything. But where has this brought us? Loneliness, isolation and purposelessness. Lives without real lasting passion because life quickly becomes boring if it is all about "me". Our world becomes too small.
Jesus' purpose about bodylife, unity and community focus are so needed today. His life was lived with such power to influence and transform a world because it was not lived to self. To live a life of quality and meaning is to give it away.
John 11:51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
The health of a church body is found in this same principle of personal yielding for the sake of the larger life together. When each of us esteem others better than ourselves our focus changes from "me-ism" to bodylife. From me to "us".
Phillippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
I believe that the church gathered is one of the most beautiful events on the earth. Each part caring for the other. Each person putting down personal agendas for the sake of the greater life together. Each life finding life by not living to self or to personal selfish ends.
To belong to the "church" is an honour and a privledge. Not everyone experiences this gift. Treasure it, Christian. Treasure it by not neglecting to come together to see and bear witness of the great things the Lord is doing in the midst of His children. He is our Father and we are His family. Let's remember, to live together in peace in any family is to move away from the rights of the individual to the rights of all. Church, let's be the church,....together!
Jesus' purpose about bodylife, unity and community focus are so needed today. His life was lived with such power to influence and transform a world because it was not lived to self. To live a life of quality and meaning is to give it away.
John 11:51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
The health of a church body is found in this same principle of personal yielding for the sake of the larger life together. When each of us esteem others better than ourselves our focus changes from "me-ism" to bodylife. From me to "us".
Phillippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
I believe that the church gathered is one of the most beautiful events on the earth. Each part caring for the other. Each person putting down personal agendas for the sake of the greater life together. Each life finding life by not living to self or to personal selfish ends.
To belong to the "church" is an honour and a privledge. Not everyone experiences this gift. Treasure it, Christian. Treasure it by not neglecting to come together to see and bear witness of the great things the Lord is doing in the midst of His children. He is our Father and we are His family. Let's remember, to live together in peace in any family is to move away from the rights of the individual to the rights of all. Church, let's be the church,....together!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Welcome!
Glad to see you found my Blog. I am hoping that this will become a well used way to communicate between the church body and myself. Keep posted and I will daily attempt to add Royal Heights's information...
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