2 Corinthians 9:7 …God loves a cheerful giver. (NASB)
You have probably heard this verse many times and more than likely it was in the context of giving money to the church. But I believe it’s a mistake to apply that statement to the giving of money alone.
I believe “God loves a cheerful giver” applies also to those who give their time and effort and expertise in the service of God.
And God LOVES IT when you and I are serving Him and His people with joy and laughter and excitement and fulfillment.
I believe God LOVES IT when we’re having a blast in glorifying Him by serving others! Because He loves cheerful giving!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Completely Dependant
With the birth of our third daughter, I am reminded of just how dependant babies are for everthing. If they are hungry, someone has to feed them. If they have a wet diaper, someone needs to change it. If they are cold, someone needs to put a blanket on them. They can do nothing on their own. They are completely dependant on mommy and daddy for everything.
This is also true about our relationship with God. We are completely dependant on Him. The question is do we acknowledge that dependance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (NASB)
Trust God....He knows what you need!
This is also true about our relationship with God. We are completely dependant on Him. The question is do we acknowledge that dependance?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (NASB)
Trust God....He knows what you need!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
All in God's Timing
Isaiah 55:8 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
People have been asking me for a couple weeks now, when our baby was going to be born. Of course I kept telling them, "any day now, just not on a Sunday because I have to preach". But God had other plans. Kirsten Grace was born today at 1:19pm. Of course I was in the hospital with Melissa and my father-in-law preached for me.
Isn't it funny how we have certain plans and God decides to do things differently. Scripture is full of examples where people thought they had things figured out or would have chosen to do things differently, but God always knows what is best.
I'm glad I can trust God even though I don't always understand His ways.
People have been asking me for a couple weeks now, when our baby was going to be born. Of course I kept telling them, "any day now, just not on a Sunday because I have to preach". But God had other plans. Kirsten Grace was born today at 1:19pm. Of course I was in the hospital with Melissa and my father-in-law preached for me.
Isn't it funny how we have certain plans and God decides to do things differently. Scripture is full of examples where people thought they had things figured out or would have chosen to do things differently, but God always knows what is best.
I'm glad I can trust God even though I don't always understand His ways.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Continuous Revival
Several weeks ago I began a preaching series on personal revival. Revival is defined as "the extraordinary movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of God’s people, producing extraordinary results.”
Do we long for that in our lives and in our families? Do we want it to be a continual thing? It should be!
In his book "Continuous Revival", Norman Grubb makes a simple statement describing revival. He says that it is "the roof off and the walls down". In other words, there is nothing between you and God, and nothing between you and anyone else.
We will never know the freedom and refreshing renewal that comes from God unless the roof is off and the walls are down!
Where do you need to begin today?
Do we long for that in our lives and in our families? Do we want it to be a continual thing? It should be!
In his book "Continuous Revival", Norman Grubb makes a simple statement describing revival. He says that it is "the roof off and the walls down". In other words, there is nothing between you and God, and nothing between you and anyone else.
We will never know the freedom and refreshing renewal that comes from God unless the roof is off and the walls are down!
Where do you need to begin today?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Obedience
Our obedience to God is an opportunity for His glory to be displayed in our lives.
Has God asked you to do something that is difficult or doesn't seem to make sense? Then consider this statement: God's glory is best seen against the backdrop of impossibilities that only God can resolve.
One thing is sure, God is always clear with His Children. Any lack of clarity is related to our unwillingness or inability to hear, not His inability to communicate.
So what is it that God is asking you to do today? If He is calling for a step of obedience, it is a sure indication that He is about to display His glory in your life. What an opportunity!
Has God asked you to do something that is difficult or doesn't seem to make sense? Then consider this statement: God's glory is best seen against the backdrop of impossibilities that only God can resolve.
One thing is sure, God is always clear with His Children. Any lack of clarity is related to our unwillingness or inability to hear, not His inability to communicate.
So what is it that God is asking you to do today? If He is calling for a step of obedience, it is a sure indication that He is about to display His glory in your life. What an opportunity!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Success
While I was driving the other day, I saw a license plate that read "$ucce$$". That got me thinking, how do we measure success?
The owner of that car seemed to measure success by how much money he had. Others measure success by how many possessions they have or how far they have climbed the "corporate ladder". Still others measure success by how many friends they have or the kind of relationships they have with friends and family.
But how does God want us to measure success? I believe success can be measured in three ways: 1) FAITH in God, 2) FAITHFULNESS to God, 3) FOCUSED on God's plan for your life.
Joshua 1:8 says, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (NASB)
So the question is, Does God consider you to be successful?
The owner of that car seemed to measure success by how much money he had. Others measure success by how many possessions they have or how far they have climbed the "corporate ladder". Still others measure success by how many friends they have or the kind of relationships they have with friends and family.
But how does God want us to measure success? I believe success can be measured in three ways: 1) FAITH in God, 2) FAITHFULNESS to God, 3) FOCUSED on God's plan for your life.
Joshua 1:8 says, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (NASB)
So the question is, Does God consider you to be successful?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friend of God
I was thinking about a Phillips, Craig, and Dean song called, "Friend of God". Read the Lyrics below:
How amazing it is that God considers me His friend!
Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That you hear me When I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me
It's amazing
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend
In John 15:14-15 Jesus says, "You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you."How amazing it is that God considers me His friend!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Ambassadors for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us..." (NASB)
Did you know that as a believer you are an ambassador of Christ? Just what is an ambassador? The dictionary defines an ambassador as an authorized representative or messenger. As a believer I am God's authorized representative and messenger. So do I give an accurate picture of who God is and what He is like?
Consider teh following Challenge: Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.
Did you know that as a believer you are an ambassador of Christ? Just what is an ambassador? The dictionary defines an ambassador as an authorized representative or messenger. As a believer I am God's authorized representative and messenger. So do I give an accurate picture of who God is and what He is like?
Consider teh following Challenge: Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
You are God's Masterpiece
Did you know that you are God's masterpiece? Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (NASB)
That word "workmanship" means masterpiece. I don't know about you, but I don't always feel like a masterpiece. But I do know that God is always working on me making me what He wants me to be.
Are we willing for God to chip away everything from our lives that doesn't fit with His plan?
You ARE God's MASTERPIECE!
Click on the link below to see the video God's Masterpiece
That word "workmanship" means masterpiece. I don't know about you, but I don't always feel like a masterpiece. But I do know that God is always working on me making me what He wants me to be.
Are we willing for God to chip away everything from our lives that doesn't fit with His plan?
You ARE God's MASTERPIECE!
Click on the link below to see the video God's Masterpiece
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Joy is a person, not a place
How often do we think, "If I could just have more, if I could just get to a certain place in my life, then I will have joy." David says in Psalm 16 that the Lord is the portion of his inheritance, the Lord is his satisfaction. He says that he has set the Lord continually before him and that as a result his heart is glad.
At the end of the Psalm, in verse 11 David says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
How about you? Where is your joy found? True, satisfying joy is found in the person of Jesus Christ!
At the end of the Psalm, in verse 11 David says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
How about you? Where is your joy found? True, satisfying joy is found in the person of Jesus Christ!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Joy
James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trial, knowing the that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
According to these verses, we can have joy in the midst of suffering when we focus on the end result.
James is not saying that need to be joyfull about the suffering, but we can have joy when we focus on what is to come. God is making us perfect and complete and we will lack nothing.
In High School I ran track. During practice we would often run 4 or 5 miles. Somewhere around mile 2 or 3 I would start to think, "Is is worth it?", but I would always keep going. I knew that any pain I might experience during practice would payoff when it came to the race. I needed to keep my eye on the goal.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the source of our joy.
Do you have joy? Are you experiencing that deep abiding joy that comes only from God? Or are you allowing your circumstances to dictate your feelings?
According to these verses, we can have joy in the midst of suffering when we focus on the end result.
James is not saying that need to be joyfull about the suffering, but we can have joy when we focus on what is to come. God is making us perfect and complete and we will lack nothing.
In High School I ran track. During practice we would often run 4 or 5 miles. Somewhere around mile 2 or 3 I would start to think, "Is is worth it?", but I would always keep going. I knew that any pain I might experience during practice would payoff when it came to the race. I needed to keep my eye on the goal.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the source of our joy.
Do you have joy? Are you experiencing that deep abiding joy that comes only from God? Or are you allowing your circumstances to dictate your feelings?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Honesty
Isn't it true that everybody lies? This doesn't make it right, but we do it. Sometimes it's big, carfully fabricated lies. Sometimes it what some call little "white lies". Sometimes it's by our silence, we try to hide the truth. And sometimes it's by our actions, we do things to give a better impresion than is really true.
The greatest deception, however, is not being honest before God. We often seek to cover our sin so that we feel like we're in better condition spiritually than we really are. If we are to experience God in revival, we must begin with getting honest before God about ourselves, our sin, and our need.
Take a look at David's life. Here is a man who had been honest, but then chose a path of deception about his sin. Later as David "comes clean" we hear from him the incredible blessings of honesty and transparency.
Read Psalm 32 to see what blessings are in store for the person who will get honest with God about their sin and their need.
The greatest deception, however, is not being honest before God. We often seek to cover our sin so that we feel like we're in better condition spiritually than we really are. If we are to experience God in revival, we must begin with getting honest before God about ourselves, our sin, and our need.
Take a look at David's life. Here is a man who had been honest, but then chose a path of deception about his sin. Later as David "comes clean" we hear from him the incredible blessings of honesty and transparency.
Read Psalm 32 to see what blessings are in store for the person who will get honest with God about their sin and their need.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
God's Plan is Always Good
Have you ever had "one of those days" (or weeks) where you just have to ask the question, "God, why is this happening to me?" only to discover, at the end of the day, this was for your good? I just did!
Three weeks ago, while out to lunch, I discovered my van wouldn't start. I did everything I could think of to get it started, but nothing happend. So I got a ride back to the office and later that day went back to check on my van. I got in, tunred the key and it started right up. So I drove it to the machanic to see if he could figure out what happened.
He kept the van for a week and the problem never happened. So I pick up my van thinking all is well. Four days later I had the same problem, it wouldn't start, only this time the "check engine light" came on as well. This time I waited about 30 minutes and then tried to start the van. It started.
I took it back to the machanic and told him that it happend again and asked if he could figure out what was going on. He kept the van for three days, but the problem never happened for him and he didn't believe the problem with the "check engine light" was related.
He recommended I take it to the dealer, thinking they may have seen this problem before and could fix it. So I took it to the dealer to have them run a test as to why the "check engine light" came on. They did and they told me what it would take to fix that problem. In the process of fixing that problem, a screw from one of the "butterfly valves" came loose and fell inside the piston.
I was told that 4 of the 6 valves were loose and that this could have happend while I was driving, but thank God it didn't. I am told that if it had it would have locked up the motor while I was driving and of course that would have been very bad news.
They were able to get everything fixed and I now have my van back three weeks later, but no one is sure why my van wouldn't start before.
I believe God was looking out for me and causing me to have to take my van in to have this other part fixed, so that I would not have the major problems I could have had.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans that I have I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
If we go back one verse and read verse 10 we see that the plans God had for Israel would not be fulfilled for 70 years. Sometimes God takes us through a valley before bringing us up on the mountain top.
What is God doing in your life right now? Never forget that God's plans are always good!
Three weeks ago, while out to lunch, I discovered my van wouldn't start. I did everything I could think of to get it started, but nothing happend. So I got a ride back to the office and later that day went back to check on my van. I got in, tunred the key and it started right up. So I drove it to the machanic to see if he could figure out what happened.
He kept the van for a week and the problem never happened. So I pick up my van thinking all is well. Four days later I had the same problem, it wouldn't start, only this time the "check engine light" came on as well. This time I waited about 30 minutes and then tried to start the van. It started.
I took it back to the machanic and told him that it happend again and asked if he could figure out what was going on. He kept the van for three days, but the problem never happened for him and he didn't believe the problem with the "check engine light" was related.
He recommended I take it to the dealer, thinking they may have seen this problem before and could fix it. So I took it to the dealer to have them run a test as to why the "check engine light" came on. They did and they told me what it would take to fix that problem. In the process of fixing that problem, a screw from one of the "butterfly valves" came loose and fell inside the piston.
I was told that 4 of the 6 valves were loose and that this could have happend while I was driving, but thank God it didn't. I am told that if it had it would have locked up the motor while I was driving and of course that would have been very bad news.
They were able to get everything fixed and I now have my van back three weeks later, but no one is sure why my van wouldn't start before.
I believe God was looking out for me and causing me to have to take my van in to have this other part fixed, so that I would not have the major problems I could have had.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans that I have I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
If we go back one verse and read verse 10 we see that the plans God had for Israel would not be fulfilled for 70 years. Sometimes God takes us through a valley before bringing us up on the mountain top.
What is God doing in your life right now? Never forget that God's plans are always good!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Preparing For Revival
I believe God is ready to send revival, but are we ready to receive revival.
As I was preparing for my sermon this week I came across this article by Martin Dupree. In it he asks some thought provoking questions.
Click on the link below to read this article, and ask yourself, "Am I prepared for personal revival?"
http://www.digitaldevotion.org/Portals/65/Blog/Files/6/49/Preparing%20for%20Personal%20Revival.PDF
As I was preparing for my sermon this week I came across this article by Martin Dupree. In it he asks some thought provoking questions.
Click on the link below to read this article, and ask yourself, "Am I prepared for personal revival?"
http://www.digitaldevotion.org/Portals/65/Blog/Files/6/49/Preparing%20for%20Personal%20Revival.PDF
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Why Revival
Revival is defined as "The extraordinary movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of God's people, producing extraordinary results."
In Psalm 85, the psalmist cries out to God to bring revival. Do we long to experience a greater manifestation of God's presence in our lives? Do we desire to bring greater glory to God?
In Sunday's sermon we will answer the the question, "Why is revival so important?"
Thought for the week:
Jerimiah 29:13 says,"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me will all your heart"
Seek God with all your heart and allow His Spirit to fill you!
Hear Last Week's Sermon:
http://www.faithallianceofdurham.org/sermons/08-09-09.mp3
In Psalm 85, the psalmist cries out to God to bring revival. Do we long to experience a greater manifestation of God's presence in our lives? Do we desire to bring greater glory to God?
In Sunday's sermon we will answer the the question, "Why is revival so important?"
Thought for the week:
Jerimiah 29:13 says,"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me will all your heart"
Seek God with all your heart and allow His Spirit to fill you!
Hear Last Week's Sermon:
http://www.faithallianceofdurham.org/sermons/08-09-09.mp3
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