Yes, let's face it, I'm mechanically challenged. Oh yes, I can take care of the basics on a car, but if it's beyond "the basics," I need outside help. Sometimes your car starts talking to you, making these bizarre sounds, and doing these strange things. You can be sure that those things don't go away by themselves.
If you ignore them, over time, those noises gets louder; those strange things that it does come more often. Sometimes, it's just natural - just like us. You know, cars get old, parts start wearing out. But sometimes that noise and trouble can be avoided when you take care of the car properly.
When you fail to maintain your car, when you neglect that buggy, it's going to start making some strange noises and doing some strange things. So do people; especially if the people are a woman who has committed her life to a man she love and married. If she starts making strange sounds and doing some strange things, the cause may well be that silent destroyer called “Neglect.”
Maybe there's a man reading this note today who's been wondering, "What's the deal with my wife? She's becoming more stressed, more shrill, more negative, more hostile, more of a nag. Something's obviously wrong with the girl." Or maybe not, maybe she's showing the signs of neglect of a husband who promised his life to her but have little or no time for her, to really hear her heart - to find out where she's hurting or anxious inside, to find out what she really needs. There are few things more heartbreaking and more hurtful to a woman than an inattentive husband. And even though I assume you love her, that inattentive, distracted husband might be you. And the malfunctions and strange sounds are really the result of your neglect and if you continue that sound will get louder..
God makes it very clear the kind of treatment and priority He expects a man to give to the woman he love and married. In 1 Peter 3:7, He says: "Husbands...be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." The New Living Translation says, "Give honour to your wives. Treat them with understanding as you live together."
Look at the action words: consider her - take her needs and feelings into consideration. Treat her with respect. That means listening to her; regarding her as someone very important in your life. Which She's supposed to be, after all, she should be the most important voice on earth to you. Are some other voices drowning hers out? And treat her like a fellow-heir in God's family. We're talking about royal treatment here. How much does this matter to God? Well, He says if you don't treat her like this; don't expect Him to answer your prayers!
Could it be this woman you committed to cherish and honour is feeling ignored, marginalized and unheard? Maybe you've been trying to avoid conflict by not communicating with her on difficult subjects. All that does is postpone and intensify the conflict and leave her feeling frozen out and ready to explode. And it's getting harder for her to trust you.
It's in your power to change it, though, to put your wife back where you once had her, in the centre of your affections, in the centre of your attention. It begins by making it a commitment to give her all of you - your undivided attention - at least once a day. Don't let others push her out, leaving her with your leftovers. She deserves your BEST. You Promised, remember!!
Whenever you shut your wife down what you are doing is shutting down your helper. The woman you married is a flower that can flourish with your care or wither with your neglect. She needs you. She was wired by God to need you. And you need her. Tell her that. Tell her you're sorry for so often running past her instead of running to her. And tell her, "Honey, I'm home," because you've been away too long and take care or each other.
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Pleasure of Searching!!
The Pleasure of Searching!!
You know, he same old scenery gets boring after a while. It's exciting to explore some new ground. That may be exactly what your Lord is trying to get you to do right now - to dare to leave that safe, predictable road you always travel on and follow Him into something new and exciting. And, yes, unknown and unpredictable.
Listen to His invitation, and command in the Word of God in Isaiah 43:18-19 . "18 Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Could it be that God is setting out before you some new ground to explore? You'll miss it if you insist on hanging on to the same old way of doing things, the same old security blankets. Spiritual cocooning - curling up in this "status quo" comfort zone - is a sure way to miss the ever-dynamic, ever-groundbreaking will of God.
God may be saying, "Isaiah 43:19, Look at the new thing I'm putting in front of you!" But you can't see it because you keep looking back at the old thing. This addiction to what's safe and comfortable and familiar afflicts individual believers, churches, ministries. God may even be trying to stretch your understanding of Him and how He works; to see Him and your relationship with Him in a new and more powerful way.
Of course, exploring new ground implies that you don't know exactly what you're going to encounter; how you're going to have what you need to meet whatever is on the new road. Listen to God's next statement here: "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." OK, you can't see a way - God says, "I'm going to amaze you by making a way where there is no way." You can't see where the resources are going to come from - God says, "I'm going to send resources where there seem to be no resources - 'streams in the wasteland.'"
But you'll miss all of it if you won't leave the road you've been on for so long. There is incredible beauty; there are thrilling discoveries on unexplored roads. It's time to say to the Lord, "I'm ready for more, Lord. I'm opening your Word now looking for some new discoveries. I'm listening to Bible teaching and worshiping, looking for the new things YOU want to say to me. And Lord, I'm following YOU wherever YOU want to take me...whatever the risks." The Bible calls that "the good and perfect and pleasing will of God."
Could it be that God's leading you to a new season in your life, or maybe a new approach or a new challenge? Don't be afraid to go with your Father onto a road that you have never been on before and I know He will always lead you.. It’s Just that Simple!!
You know, he same old scenery gets boring after a while. It's exciting to explore some new ground. That may be exactly what your Lord is trying to get you to do right now - to dare to leave that safe, predictable road you always travel on and follow Him into something new and exciting. And, yes, unknown and unpredictable.
Listen to His invitation, and command in the Word of God in Isaiah 43:18-19 . "18 Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Could it be that God is setting out before you some new ground to explore? You'll miss it if you insist on hanging on to the same old way of doing things, the same old security blankets. Spiritual cocooning - curling up in this "status quo" comfort zone - is a sure way to miss the ever-dynamic, ever-groundbreaking will of God.
God may be saying, "Isaiah 43:19, Look at the new thing I'm putting in front of you!" But you can't see it because you keep looking back at the old thing. This addiction to what's safe and comfortable and familiar afflicts individual believers, churches, ministries. God may even be trying to stretch your understanding of Him and how He works; to see Him and your relationship with Him in a new and more powerful way.
Of course, exploring new ground implies that you don't know exactly what you're going to encounter; how you're going to have what you need to meet whatever is on the new road. Listen to God's next statement here: "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." OK, you can't see a way - God says, "I'm going to amaze you by making a way where there is no way." You can't see where the resources are going to come from - God says, "I'm going to send resources where there seem to be no resources - 'streams in the wasteland.'"
But you'll miss all of it if you won't leave the road you've been on for so long. There is incredible beauty; there are thrilling discoveries on unexplored roads. It's time to say to the Lord, "I'm ready for more, Lord. I'm opening your Word now looking for some new discoveries. I'm listening to Bible teaching and worshiping, looking for the new things YOU want to say to me. And Lord, I'm following YOU wherever YOU want to take me...whatever the risks." The Bible calls that "the good and perfect and pleasing will of God."
Could it be that God's leading you to a new season in your life, or maybe a new approach or a new challenge? Don't be afraid to go with your Father onto a road that you have never been on before and I know He will always lead you.. It’s Just that Simple!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Standing Firm!! Provable 12:3
Standing Firm!! Provable 12:3
It‘s key that we build our foundation in God alone. We are unable to stand firm resting upon anything else. Psalm 1:3 describes the righteous as being "...like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do." The righteous is planted on the solid foundation of God.
It is God who gives us strength to do all things (see Philippians 4:13). Psalm 33:11 says, "[b]but the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken." I don't know about you, but I know I want to stand firm on God's eternal plans.
Despite whatever you may be going through remember your brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering too and agree in prayer with them. Just remember to stand firm and stay strong in your faith (1 Peter 5:9), and just see God bring you through!
Proverbs 12:3 (Amplified Bible)
3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall never be moved.
It‘s key that we build our foundation in God alone. We are unable to stand firm resting upon anything else. Psalm 1:3 describes the righteous as being "...like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do." The righteous is planted on the solid foundation of God.
It is God who gives us strength to do all things (see Philippians 4:13). Psalm 33:11 says, "[b]but the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken." I don't know about you, but I know I want to stand firm on God's eternal plans.
Despite whatever you may be going through remember your brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering too and agree in prayer with them. Just remember to stand firm and stay strong in your faith (1 Peter 5:9), and just see God bring you through!
Proverbs 12:3 (Amplified Bible)
3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall never be moved.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Speaking your Audience's Language
Speaking your Audience's Language: - When you seek to communicate the message of Jesus Christ to those outside the faith, do you ever feel like you’re not getting through? There can be many reasons for this, including their own resistance, spiritual blindness, spiritual warfare, ego, personal pain, and anger with God, disappointment with God or Christians, etc. But a major reason might be that you just aren’t speaking their language.
Different languages: - People speak different verbal languages. They also speak different psychological, emotional and intellectual languages.
The Gift: - We are offering the people of our world a gift that is infinitely more valuable than anything in life, the gift of peace with God and eternal life. But too often, we don’t speak their emotional and intellectual languages. I don’t know about you, but at the end I don’t want to look back with regret on the people who didn’t appreciate Christ because I didn’t make the message clear.
I want to speak their language so clearly that they see how attractive Our Jesus is, so they run to Him to receive Him and for anything is possible with Him. These are my advice, In communicating with non-believers, seek to avoid Christian terminology.
Consider this example: “The Bible says all you sinner need to repent and trust in the finished work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who, through his propitiatory sacrifice on Cross of Calvary, made atonement for you so you could be justified, redeemed, sanctified and gloriously saved!”
That is all true, but will the unbeliever understand it? How about this instead? “The bible explains that humans have emptiness, an inner void, a longing to love and be loved. Jesus Christ said he came to fill that void, to offer hope and genuine purpose. He died a physical and spiritual death to pay the penalty we/humans owed for our/their flaws and imperfections. Then he returned to life to offer us/people the opportunity to plug into God both now and forever.” Depending on the situation, you may wish to use either the more direct second-person or first person-plural (“you” or “we”) or the more indirect third-person plural (“humans”, “people”, “they”, etc.). You can make the Gospel very clear. Just use language that relates to your listeners and their situation.
Suggesting alternates: - Consider a few additional suggestions for connecting with your audience. Aim to contextualise your words and examples for your listeners or readers, and to paint memorable ‘word pictures’. Jesus took worldly examples from the surrounding society and culture to fill out the content of abstract concepts. For instance, the Prodigal Son story illustrates repentance. The Lost Sheep story conveys God’s heart for someone whose life is a mess. Redemptive parallels from familiar stories that resonate with your audience can be vital. Popular culture is one very valuable source for such material.
For evangelism in a non-Western or non-Christian culture, careful use of language is equally important, because the words may carry entirely different implications from those that Western Christians intend. Many non-Western societies are also shame cultures and view modes of behaviour in dramatically different ways than Westerners do, so different cultures view things different.
Another audience that your “Worldly-friendly” language may help is those who are familiar – even over-familiar – with Christian terminology. Some may let Christian jargon simply wash over them without attaching much meaning to the words, having been somewhat immunized to their truth. For others, ‘Christianize’ may trigger memories of negative or hurtful past church experiences. In both cases, jargon-free language can add freshness and clarity that helps minimize these potential communication barriers.
I believe some the suggestions can better use to connect with the non-believers you seek to reach and we should always ask God to give you wisdom to apply these suggestions as appropriate for your situation. Trust Him to give you words and thoughts that will help people understand God’s truth. Remember, you are not seeking to compromise God’s message, but simply aiming to communicate it using language and concepts your audience can understand, relate to, and digest.
Philemon 1:6 (Amplified Bible)
6[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Possible Prayer
Going forward, I want to change the direction of my communication with the unbelievers. I pray that I would love YOU with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Give me the words and thoughts that will help people understand Your Truth. Help me to love others and to demonstrate my love through concrete actions. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Different languages: - People speak different verbal languages. They also speak different psychological, emotional and intellectual languages.
The Gift: - We are offering the people of our world a gift that is infinitely more valuable than anything in life, the gift of peace with God and eternal life. But too often, we don’t speak their emotional and intellectual languages. I don’t know about you, but at the end I don’t want to look back with regret on the people who didn’t appreciate Christ because I didn’t make the message clear.
I want to speak their language so clearly that they see how attractive Our Jesus is, so they run to Him to receive Him and for anything is possible with Him. These are my advice, In communicating with non-believers, seek to avoid Christian terminology.
Consider this example: “The Bible says all you sinner need to repent and trust in the finished work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who, through his propitiatory sacrifice on Cross of Calvary, made atonement for you so you could be justified, redeemed, sanctified and gloriously saved!”
That is all true, but will the unbeliever understand it? How about this instead? “The bible explains that humans have emptiness, an inner void, a longing to love and be loved. Jesus Christ said he came to fill that void, to offer hope and genuine purpose. He died a physical and spiritual death to pay the penalty we/humans owed for our/their flaws and imperfections. Then he returned to life to offer us/people the opportunity to plug into God both now and forever.” Depending on the situation, you may wish to use either the more direct second-person or first person-plural (“you” or “we”) or the more indirect third-person plural (“humans”, “people”, “they”, etc.). You can make the Gospel very clear. Just use language that relates to your listeners and their situation.
Suggesting alternates: - Consider a few additional suggestions for connecting with your audience. Aim to contextualise your words and examples for your listeners or readers, and to paint memorable ‘word pictures’. Jesus took worldly examples from the surrounding society and culture to fill out the content of abstract concepts. For instance, the Prodigal Son story illustrates repentance. The Lost Sheep story conveys God’s heart for someone whose life is a mess. Redemptive parallels from familiar stories that resonate with your audience can be vital. Popular culture is one very valuable source for such material.
For evangelism in a non-Western or non-Christian culture, careful use of language is equally important, because the words may carry entirely different implications from those that Western Christians intend. Many non-Western societies are also shame cultures and view modes of behaviour in dramatically different ways than Westerners do, so different cultures view things different.
Another audience that your “Worldly-friendly” language may help is those who are familiar – even over-familiar – with Christian terminology. Some may let Christian jargon simply wash over them without attaching much meaning to the words, having been somewhat immunized to their truth. For others, ‘Christianize’ may trigger memories of negative or hurtful past church experiences. In both cases, jargon-free language can add freshness and clarity that helps minimize these potential communication barriers.
I believe some the suggestions can better use to connect with the non-believers you seek to reach and we should always ask God to give you wisdom to apply these suggestions as appropriate for your situation. Trust Him to give you words and thoughts that will help people understand God’s truth. Remember, you are not seeking to compromise God’s message, but simply aiming to communicate it using language and concepts your audience can understand, relate to, and digest.
Philemon 1:6 (Amplified Bible)
6[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Possible Prayer
Going forward, I want to change the direction of my communication with the unbelievers. I pray that I would love YOU with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Give me the words and thoughts that will help people understand Your Truth. Help me to love others and to demonstrate my love through concrete actions. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
06 Feb. 2010. Word of the Day!!
RIGHTEOUSNESS: - it means a righteous conduct or the quality or state of being just or rightful
Michael Moses’ Notion: - We have a choice when it comes to how we clothe ourselves. I am talking about beyond our physical clothing, we have spiritual clothing. Will we clothe ourselves in Jesus and thereby focus on righteousness? Or will we clothe ourselves indecently and participate in the sinful desires of the world? Paul urges us to clothe ourselves in Jesus. It is written of our blessed Lord, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." It is the purpose of God that as we are indwelt by the Spirit of His Son, should likewise love righteousness and hate iniquity.
I see that there is a place for us in Christ Jesus where we are no longer under condemnation but where the heavens are always open to us. I see that God has a realm of divine life opening up to us where there are boundless possibilities, where there is limitless power, where there are untold resources, where we have victory over all the power of the devil. I believe that, as we are filled with the desire to press on into this life of true holiness, desiring only the glory of God, there is nothing that can hinder our true advancement.
Peter commences his second epistle with these words, "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." It is through faith that we realize that we have a blessed and glorious union with our risen Lord.
When He was on earth Jesus told us, "I am in the Father and the Father in me." "The Father that dwells in me and He does the works." And He prayed to His Father, not only for His disciples but for those who should believe in Him through their word; "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou best sent Me." Oh what an inheritance is ours when the very nature, the very righteousness, the very power of the Father and the Son are made real in us. That is God's purpose, and as we by faith lay hold on the purpose we shall be ever conscious of the fact that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. The purpose of all Scripture is to move us on to this wonderful and blessed elevation of faith where our constant experience is the manifestation of God's life and power through us.
The Lord would have us to be walking epistles of His word. Jesus is the Word and it is the power in us, and it is His desire to work in and through us His own good pleasure. We must believe that He is in us. There are boundless possibilities for us if we dare to act in God and dare to believe that the wonderful virtue of our living Christ shall be made manifest through us as we lay our hands on the sick in His name.
The exceeding great and precious promises of the Word are given to us that we might be partakers of the divine nature. I feel the Holy Ghost is grieved with us because, when we know these things, we do not do greater exploits for God. Does not the Holy Ghost show us wide-open doors of opportunity? Shall we not let God take us on to greater things? Shall we not believe God to take us on to greater manifestations of His power? His call for us is to forget the things that are behind, and reach forth unto the things which are before and to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. So let us always present our bodily as implements of righteousness.
Bible Reference:
Romans 6:13 (Amplified Bible)
13Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and [a]faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and [b]faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
Possible Prayer
From this time forward, I want to change the direction of my life and follow you. Give me a hunger for your Word and a desire to spend time with you every day. I pray that I would love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Help me to obey you without hesitation and be faithful to YOU. Help me to love others and to demonstrate my love through concrete actions. Protect me from all evil. Give me wisdom to make right decisions that honours YOU.
Michael Moses’ Notion: - We have a choice when it comes to how we clothe ourselves. I am talking about beyond our physical clothing, we have spiritual clothing. Will we clothe ourselves in Jesus and thereby focus on righteousness? Or will we clothe ourselves indecently and participate in the sinful desires of the world? Paul urges us to clothe ourselves in Jesus. It is written of our blessed Lord, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." It is the purpose of God that as we are indwelt by the Spirit of His Son, should likewise love righteousness and hate iniquity.
I see that there is a place for us in Christ Jesus where we are no longer under condemnation but where the heavens are always open to us. I see that God has a realm of divine life opening up to us where there are boundless possibilities, where there is limitless power, where there are untold resources, where we have victory over all the power of the devil. I believe that, as we are filled with the desire to press on into this life of true holiness, desiring only the glory of God, there is nothing that can hinder our true advancement.
Peter commences his second epistle with these words, "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." It is through faith that we realize that we have a blessed and glorious union with our risen Lord.
When He was on earth Jesus told us, "I am in the Father and the Father in me." "The Father that dwells in me and He does the works." And He prayed to His Father, not only for His disciples but for those who should believe in Him through their word; "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou best sent Me." Oh what an inheritance is ours when the very nature, the very righteousness, the very power of the Father and the Son are made real in us. That is God's purpose, and as we by faith lay hold on the purpose we shall be ever conscious of the fact that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. The purpose of all Scripture is to move us on to this wonderful and blessed elevation of faith where our constant experience is the manifestation of God's life and power through us.
The Lord would have us to be walking epistles of His word. Jesus is the Word and it is the power in us, and it is His desire to work in and through us His own good pleasure. We must believe that He is in us. There are boundless possibilities for us if we dare to act in God and dare to believe that the wonderful virtue of our living Christ shall be made manifest through us as we lay our hands on the sick in His name.
The exceeding great and precious promises of the Word are given to us that we might be partakers of the divine nature. I feel the Holy Ghost is grieved with us because, when we know these things, we do not do greater exploits for God. Does not the Holy Ghost show us wide-open doors of opportunity? Shall we not let God take us on to greater things? Shall we not believe God to take us on to greater manifestations of His power? His call for us is to forget the things that are behind, and reach forth unto the things which are before and to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. So let us always present our bodily as implements of righteousness.
Bible Reference:
Romans 6:13 (Amplified Bible)
13Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and [a]faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and [b]faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
Possible Prayer
From this time forward, I want to change the direction of my life and follow you. Give me a hunger for your Word and a desire to spend time with you every day. I pray that I would love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Help me to obey you without hesitation and be faithful to YOU. Help me to love others and to demonstrate my love through concrete actions. Protect me from all evil. Give me wisdom to make right decisions that honours YOU.
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