Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Apparently people have been "sleeping in" for 2000 years.
Approximately 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet only about 20% show up for church. God says we need to go. We need to be encouraged, and encourage others, especially as the world spirals farther, and farther away from His truth.
Up front, let me address two standard excuses for not attending:
First - There are no perfect churches. In fact if you find one don't join it, because you will mess it up.
Secondly - I too, can find God while fishing, hiking and being in nature.
But neither of these are reasons not to get involved with a local body of believers.
"Let us encourage one another"...It's not just about you ...it is at least equally about your fellow members.
This verse is not pushing attendance, it's pushing involvement. As I have mentioned before, some churches are like a football game - 50,000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of rest - Don't just observe ... get on the field. Work in the nursery, greet people, help with Sunday School ... contribute.
If Sunday morning is impossible, commit to Sunday night, or Wednesday, or a weekday bible study ... but find a way to plug in, and meet together with your church consistently.
This verse says not to "neglect" it. Make it a discipline in your life, and your family's life. If God says it's important, it should not be optional. When you join a team, you show up for meetings.
How much good would it do if you just lifted weights Christmas and Easter? The same applies to church. If you just go to church this Sunday it may not change much ... but if you go every Sunday the rest of this year, you will see a definite difference in your spiritual physique.
Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do ... sometimes its just hard to do it.
"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
Dwight L. Moody
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
1 Peter 1:14-15 Romans 12: 2 Rev 4:8 6/21/2016
1 Peter 1:14-15 "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior"
You have to choose a team.
Teams wear uniforms ... yours is Holiness. It means "set apart" and it confirms you as a follower of Christ.
Holiness is a symptom of your salvation. If you tell me you have the measles I would expect to see red splotches on your skin. The splotches don't make you sick, they just show that you are. It's the same with holiness. It identifies us as a people "set apart" on a different team.
We cannot afford to conform anymore to the things we did in ignorance, because we now have a higher purpose.
The realization of what God has done for you should change the way you think.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)
So if Holiness starts with the renewal of your mind, what are you allowing to influence your thoughts?.... Music, internet, movies, conversations... does what you allow renew your mind, or pollute it?
Just like getting in shape physically - spiritual health is all about inputs and activities.
Can you live perfectly?... not yet ... that will come when Christ returns. Until then strive for holiness, and cling to the grace that covers your failures.
This week, focus on renewal. Remove the things that make you ineffective, and increase the things that focus your mind on Christ. As Christ is holy...we must strive to be holy.
If we believe what we say we believe, how can we do anything less?
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty...!”
- Seraphims around the Throne (Rev 4:8)
You have to choose a team.
Teams wear uniforms ... yours is Holiness. It means "set apart" and it confirms you as a follower of Christ.
Holiness is a symptom of your salvation. If you tell me you have the measles I would expect to see red splotches on your skin. The splotches don't make you sick, they just show that you are. It's the same with holiness. It identifies us as a people "set apart" on a different team.
We cannot afford to conform anymore to the things we did in ignorance, because we now have a higher purpose.
The realization of what God has done for you should change the way you think.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)
So if Holiness starts with the renewal of your mind, what are you allowing to influence your thoughts?.... Music, internet, movies, conversations... does what you allow renew your mind, or pollute it?
Just like getting in shape physically - spiritual health is all about inputs and activities.
Can you live perfectly?... not yet ... that will come when Christ returns. Until then strive for holiness, and cling to the grace that covers your failures.
This week, focus on renewal. Remove the things that make you ineffective, and increase the things that focus your mind on Christ. As Christ is holy...we must strive to be holy.
If we believe what we say we believe, how can we do anything less?
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty...!”
- Seraphims around the Throne (Rev 4:8)
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
2 Thessalonians 3:16 John 14:27 6/14/2016
2 Thessalonians 3:16 - "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way..."
Would you describe your life as peaceful?
"Panicked", might be a better description for most of us. Between our hectic schedules, political questions, tragic news stories, and constant social media saturation - we hardly have a chance at anything remotely resembling peace. We move from one crises to the next, constantly shaking our heads in disbelief at the world in which we live.
Yet this verse describes God as the Lord of Peace. It also says He can provide it constantly for us. How did we miss that? How can we need something so badly, have it offered to us freely, and yet somehow we don't have it?
Can you imagine a more dramatic change in your life than the arrival of perfect peace?
You don't have to imagine it, Jesus says it can be yours: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
The word peace occurs in the bible over 400 times. God wants you to know it is available. And while the world can only offer distractions, Jesus offers true, permanent peace.
What if this week you made a commitment to turn your mind toward God every time you felt anxious? God wants you to relax....He's got this. The key is focus. Don't let your heart be troubled or afraid, instead set your gaze steadfastly on the Lord.
Peace is a choice...No matter what you face today, God is not pacing the floor...He is still on the Thrown, and His love for you is unfathomable ... Focus ... be steadfast ... Trust God to do what He said He would do.
Peace changes everything, and Your Father paid a enormous price for you to have it.
Would you describe your life as peaceful?
"Panicked", might be a better description for most of us. Between our hectic schedules, political questions, tragic news stories, and constant social media saturation - we hardly have a chance at anything remotely resembling peace. We move from one crises to the next, constantly shaking our heads in disbelief at the world in which we live.
Yet this verse describes God as the Lord of Peace. It also says He can provide it constantly for us. How did we miss that? How can we need something so badly, have it offered to us freely, and yet somehow we don't have it?
Can you imagine a more dramatic change in your life than the arrival of perfect peace?
You don't have to imagine it, Jesus says it can be yours: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
The word peace occurs in the bible over 400 times. God wants you to know it is available. And while the world can only offer distractions, Jesus offers true, permanent peace.
What if this week you made a commitment to turn your mind toward God every time you felt anxious? God wants you to relax....He's got this. The key is focus. Don't let your heart be troubled or afraid, instead set your gaze steadfastly on the Lord.
Peace is a choice...No matter what you face today, God is not pacing the floor...He is still on the Thrown, and His love for you is unfathomable ... Focus ... be steadfast ... Trust God to do what He said He would do.
Peace changes everything, and Your Father paid a enormous price for you to have it.
"A quiet mind cureth all."
Robert Burton
Robert Burton
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
2 Timothy 3:16 John 15:16 Heb 4:12 6/7/2016
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness",
What do you use for training in your life? What do you use for a playbook?
The problem is, if you don't have an objective, you don't need a playbook or a plan on how to get there.
Unfortunately for many of us, each weekday consist of one escape after another....just hoping to make it to Friday. Much like a quarterback in the huddle saying let's just snap the ball and see what happens, this seldom results in progress.
This verse says your bible is your playbook, with an objective and a plan. Not just a relic to sit by your bed, but a tool that, like a great coach, has the ability, to teach, rebuke, correct, and train. Think about that. What if instead of being firmly planted in mid air...you had a solid foundation and direction.
That is how you were created to live. With purpose. God picked you for a specific reason ...."You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..." (John 15:16) What an honor to be chosen by the King and given work to further His Kingdom.
Scripture is God, actively speaking to you ... and to ignore it, is to rob your life of power and direction. Start giving the bible the authority it deserves. It is a book of commands, not suggestions, and it flows from the very mouth of God ..."For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.." (Heb 4:12).
Live life on purpose. Immerse yourself in the Word of God, and let the teaching and direction of scripture make you an effective ambassador for Christ. You will not accidentally stumble into being a great man of God. You need a game plan ... and God "breathed" one so you would know the way. Put it to use.
“The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.”
― Vince Lombardi
What do you use for training in your life? What do you use for a playbook?
The problem is, if you don't have an objective, you don't need a playbook or a plan on how to get there.
Unfortunately for many of us, each weekday consist of one escape after another....just hoping to make it to Friday. Much like a quarterback in the huddle saying let's just snap the ball and see what happens, this seldom results in progress.
This verse says your bible is your playbook, with an objective and a plan. Not just a relic to sit by your bed, but a tool that, like a great coach, has the ability, to teach, rebuke, correct, and train. Think about that. What if instead of being firmly planted in mid air...you had a solid foundation and direction.
That is how you were created to live. With purpose. God picked you for a specific reason ...."You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..." (John 15:16) What an honor to be chosen by the King and given work to further His Kingdom.
Scripture is God, actively speaking to you ... and to ignore it, is to rob your life of power and direction. Start giving the bible the authority it deserves. It is a book of commands, not suggestions, and it flows from the very mouth of God ..."For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.." (Heb 4:12).
Live life on purpose. Immerse yourself in the Word of God, and let the teaching and direction of scripture make you an effective ambassador for Christ. You will not accidentally stumble into being a great man of God. You need a game plan ... and God "breathed" one so you would know the way. Put it to use.
“The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.”
― Vince Lombardi
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