Thursday, February 28, 2013

A Good Mystery

This week we are looking in Colossians 1:24-28 to see the attributes of how Paul models God’s heart to the world. The third thing that is required is to have the Heart of the message. We see this in verses 26-27: the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The Message says it like this:  The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.

 Six things we can learn about the mystery:

1. We have one faith in common in Christ Jesus.

2.  Salvation has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. There is nothing we need to do accept believe.

3. The blessings that come from our salvation are experienced by those who belong to Him by faith

4. The hope of glory is for all eternity, and eternal hope = present hope.

5. This relationship with Christ results in hope toward the possibilities of this life prior to Christ’s return.

6.  God does not promise us worldly happiness but eternal hope and joy in our salvation.

 Be wise today and always – Christ is in all believers – share His glory.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Together in Mission


This week we are looking in Colossians 1:24-28 to see the attributes of how Paul models God’s heart to the world. The second thing that is required is to have the Heart of a messenger. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness.

 The Message says it like this: When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth

 The source of Paul’s calling is God’s commission. If you split this word you'll get a better idea of how God wants us to share the Gospel. Com means with or being together. Our mission is to share the Good News. We have all been commissioned to be about this great work.

Our mission is within and with the church - to be able to share to the world the good news (by working together).

 There are no Lone Rangers in God’s army, only team (God’s) players. We are on His mission together!

 Be wise today and always – be on the right team and you‘ll never lose!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Who's the Boss?


This week we will be looking in Colossians 1:24-28 to see the attributes of how Paul models God’s heart to the world. The first thing that is required is to have the Heart of a servant. We see this in verse 24: Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

 Throughout the New Testament you hear him say, I  Paul have become a servant. His identity and life is consumed with sharing the Gospel.

 All believers are called to serve & proclaim the Gospel story of Jesus. The issue is not merely to serve Christ, but to serve like Christ. This kind of servant leadership is characterized by setting aside any interest in social standing or political power and submitting to others in order to share their burdens.  Then we can share Christ.

 Be wise today and always – serve God by sharing His Word.

Monday, February 25, 2013

World Hope


God knew on Christmas that Good Friday was coming, and then the Resurrection. The hope of glory is real, and too important not to share to the world.
 
To be Jesus to the world - You got to have heart!

On Valentine ’s Day we share our emotional heart. During Lent we see the greatest heart – the heart of God! He loved of us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us, so that through faith we can spend eternity together.

 It’s that hope that is found in Colossians 1:24-28. We’ll spend this week looking at Paul’s writing to the church, and how we can apply it to our lives.

 Today spend time telling God how much you love Him.

 Be wise today and always – know and show God’s love to the world around you.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

God's Family


Sometimes it is easier to understand a passage of Scripture by looking at a paraphrase of the text. Look how being God's children is explained here.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. 1 John 3:1-3 The Message

God's desire for His children is to grow and mature. He gives us all we need to accomplish our mission here.

What kingdom work have you done this week?

Be wise today and always - be about the Father's work everyday.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

God's Child



All believers are God’s children. We are promised this in His Word.

1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
 
Three important ideas are inherent to the promise that we are God's children:
1. It is by God's initiative and power that we are born as the children of God. He does it – not us.
2. God sees us with eyes of hope, possibility and promise. What do we see?
3. It is evidence of God's active and creative love for us. He is all about our relationship, and is involved in our lives.

A newborn's birth is not the goal of its existence; its growth and maturity are.

What have you done with what God has given you?

Be wise today and always - be God's child.


Friday, February 22, 2013

Overcoming Tribulation

The Bible tells us to glory in tribulations!
  
Romans 5:3-5 says, Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Look at the promise and progression through our trial, hardships, crises, and tribulations.

1. Tribulation brings patience. - learn to wait
2. Patience brings experience. - learn to trust
3. Experience brings hope. - learn the truth
4. This hope enables us to not be ashamed.- live for Christ.

Be wise today and always - If Jesus is for you who could come against?

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Future Hope



Romans 5:2 tells us, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand 
1. We are redeemed (forgiven) - bought with a price
2. We live according to God’s grace. - take a stand!
 
Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:5

We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. - Romans 5:2
1. We have access to God by faith now, we may hope for the glory of God in eternity.
2. Those who hope for the glory of God in eternity have enough to rejoice in now

It's a great equation: Future hope brings present hope. This is totally opposite of the world's philosophy of saving now for later. It takes us out of the picture, and puts God in charge.

Be wise today and always - always put God first in your life.



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Steps to Peace

Have you ever read Steps to Peace with God by Billy Graham? It is a great tract that has been used for many years to bring people to a salvation decision in Christ. It explains our need (we're sinners) and gives us the cure (Jesus' sacrifice on the cross). It is up to every person to accept this gift from God. In this relationship we can truly experience peace.


Romans 5:1 tells us, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

We can have peace through Christ because of His great love for us. 

And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. - Colossians 1:20

Be wise today and always - accept His peace that is beyond our understanding. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Peace and Hope

Many of us feel broken and of no use to God. That is where the enemy likes to get in to our heads, and we do not serve the way we should. There will be trials and crisis in our lives, but with God's hope and peace we can overcome. Look what Paul says in Romans 5:1-5:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  

Over the next couple of days we'll go through this passage. Today underline the key phrases and start praying what God wants to reveal to you.

Be wise today and always - allow God to heal and use you for His kingdom's work.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Hope in God



Have you ever heard, "It's too good to be true?" 

Well, what I am going to be sharing this week seems that way, but it is true.

There are two great truths about God’s hope:
1. We can trust in what can never be taken away. 
2. We can become God’s children through Jesus Christ. 

Our relationship with God through Christ cannot be taken away! We know this tpo be true through His Word, The Holy Spirit. and the testimony of God people.

It is a term of endearment that God would call believers His children. It's another way of Him saying, "I love You". Isn't it amazing how much Christ loves us and cares about?

Almost too good to be true - isn't it? 

Be wise today and always - find your hope in God.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

God's Word

God Gave His Word in Hebrews 6:13-20

13-18 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, “I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!” Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.
18-20 We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

Be wise today and always - grab on and never let go of God's hope.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

True Freedom




God wants you to know the truth and the truth will set you free.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Three Things to Remember:
(1) Believed in him - true faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord
(2) Hold to His teaching - obedience to the Word of God is the fruit or evidence of a changed life. A faithful follower in word and deed by the application of the Bible to your life.
(3) Know the truth. - Holding to the teaching of Christ who is the truth

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37 (NKJV)

Be wise today and always - make Jesus your Hope.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Duty



In Matthew 9:38 what was the duty of the disciples? (Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”)) When things look discouraging, we should pray more, and then we should complain and fear less. Remember:

1. God is the Lord of the harvest.

2. Ministers are and should be laborers in God’s harvest.
Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

3. It is God’s work to send forth laborers; Christ makes ministers (see Ephesians 4:11); the office is of his appointing, the qualifications of his working, the call of his giving.

4. All that love Christ and seeing people saved, should show it by their earnest prayers to God. They must pray,
First, That God would send them forth. Here am I, send me, Isaiah 6:8.
Secondly, That He would send others forth.

Be wise today and always - pray to be sent and send others.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Workers



In Matthew 9:37 Jesus charged His disciples to pray. (Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”)

What was Jesus’ observation? The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. People desired good preaching, but there were few good preachers. There was a great deal of work to be done, and a great deal of good likely to be done, but there wanted hands to do it.
[1.] It was an encouragement, that the harvest was so plentiful.
[2.] It was a pity that the laborers should be so few. It is a sad day for the church, when God’s work stands still, or goes slowly, because of a need for good workers. If this happens then the laborers that there are available will to be very busy.

Be wise today and always – work for Jesus.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Pity



Matthew 9:36 is an introduction of Jesus sending forth his apostles. (When he saw the crowds, he had compassion (pity) on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.)

He pities them, and was concerned for them. He was moved with compassion.
 (1.) What moved this pity? They were lost and did not know way.
(2.) They were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. That expression is borrowed from 1 Kings. 22:17; and it sets forth the sad condition of those that are destitute of faithful guides to go before them in the things of God.

Be wise today and always – be moved to tell the truth about Jesus.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Condition



God sees our condition, but the workers are few.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 9:35 summarizes the activity of Jesus (teaching, preaching, healing). He told them of a kingdom of grace and glory, and good news, glad tidings of great joy. he went to:
1. To the private towns. He visited not only the great and wealthy cities, but the poor, obscure villages; there he preached, there he healed.
2. To the public worship. He taught in their synagogues,
(1.) That he might show the importance of coming to church. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25
(2.) That he might have an opportunity of preaching there, where people were gathered together, with an expectation to hear.

Be wise today and always – be ready to to gather, grow, and go in the name of Jesus.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Hope for the Hurting



We are to be Jesus to a world that is hurting. If we are going to be His “hands and feet” then let’s look at how God describes Him. 

 “Take a good look at my servant (Jesus). I’m backing Him to the hilt. He’s the one I chose, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him. I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He’ll set everything right among the nations. He won’t call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right. He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.” Isaiah 42:1-4 (The Message) 

Be wise today and always - be Christ to the world around you

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Thirsty



Have you ever been so thirsty that you would have done anything for a drink of water?

 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. John 19:28-29

John 19:28 gives us a powerful picture of Jesus on the cross. I’m told that crucifixion is an agonizing death by suffocation and dehydration. Not only is it difficult to lift your chest and breathe when you’re hanging by your hands, but when your life’s blood is draining out, you feel an intense thirst. This reminds us that Jesus felt every pain. Just because he was God, he didn’t take the easy way out. He cried out, “I thirst!” Physically, the reason he was thirsty was because all his body fluids were draining out. But, spiritually, he was thirsty because he was emptying himself.

Verse 28 is amazing: It fulfills prophecy, but it also fulfills Scripture that hadn’t even been written at that time.  Philippians 2:7 says Jesus “made himself of no reputation”, but the Greek literally says, “he emptied himself.” I wish the translators had used the literal phrase, because he was emptying himself of the Water of Life to give it to us. That’s why he was thirsty!

In John 7:37 we read about a time when Jesus attended a feast at the Temple. On the last day of the feast, it was customary for the priest to pour out a cup of water. As he did this, he prayed for God to quench their thirst for God as the water quenched the parched ground. At this, Jesus cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink!” That’s because, as Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, for those who trust in him be will cause a well of water to spring up within us unto eternal life.

“I am the Way,” he said in John 14:6. On the cross, Jesus opened the way to the Water of Life. He told the believing thief that very day they would be together in Paradise. Revelation 22:1 says the River of Life that flows through Heaven’s paradise bursts forth from the Throne of God and Jesus. It’s when God is on the throne in our hearts and Jesus is Lord that we have eternal life. When Jesus thirsted on the cross, he was pouring out the Water of Life for us. He finished all that was needed to make that River possible. But, we have to give him the throne of our hearts.

Be wise today and always - be quenched by Jesus.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Stay Strong



Abraham Lincoln said, You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong”.

This quote has great global and political implications. We also need to keep in mind the spiritual battle which is going on all around us. It can seem sometime that the world appears to be getting stronger, and wants to weaken believers and God’s church. We must remember Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The Bible reminds us time and time again that - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Be wise today and always – find your strength in the Lord.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Choose Life



Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

It reminds of the verse in Deuteronomy 30:19, This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

By choosing life we have agreed to live life God’s way, and not the world’s way. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16

Be wise today and always – choose life.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Choose Well



Abraham Lincoln said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Joshua said something like this many years ago;

15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15

Things like this don’t change much over time.

Whom have you chosen -the things of this world or the things of God?

Be wise today and always – choose God.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Witness



We who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior are mandated to share the Good News with the world around us.

Here are 5 SIMPLE STEPS FOR SHARING YOUR FAITH

1. Understand that your own life is a great part of your witness.
2. Realize that we earn the right to be heard by sincerely listening to others.
3. Recognize that people are looking for a cure.
4. Keep it simple.
5. Stress the love of God. (Use John 3:16 then Romans 6:23)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Be wise today and always – allow the Holy Spirit to use you today to witness.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Cry Out to Jesus



God knows your pain – look at what the Psalms have to say about it.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.- Psalms 30:5

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. - Psalm 61:1 

Remember that death is the consequence of sin. Jesus died on the cross to release us from the sting of death, which is sin. “Where, O death, is your victory?Where, O death, is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:55-57. The suffering caused by sin is enormous. Sin is something to cry about – cry out to Jesus. He knows your pain.

Be wise today and always - Jesus is your Hope.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Brokenhearted



God sent Jesus to heal the brokenhearted. Jesus proclaimed:

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has anointed me, and sent me out to preach the gospel to the poor, to restore the broken-hearted; Luke 4:18

Jesus was reading a prophesy about Himself in Isaiah 61:1-2

Jesus shows us His ability to grieve and feel loss in John 11:33-36
"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, and said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said, 'Lord, Come and see.' Jesus wept. And so the Jews were saying, 'Behold, how He loved Him!" (John 11:33-36).

Jesus knew that He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, so why was He so disturbed by the events of that day?

There was His great sense of compassion. He hurt to see others hurt. His emotions were pushed to the limit by witnessing the sorrow of Mary. Those with compassion are able to "weep with them that weep" and all Christians ought to have this ability

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn Romans 12:15. Jesus continues to watch with compassion over us today as well.

Be wise today and always – Jesus is with you.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Grief and Loss Hope



The Scriptures teach the need for balance in one's life and attitudes. A good passage concerning proper balance is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven; "A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-9).

Being a Christian does not mean a life without sorrow or troubles. It does not mean that expression of sorrow is a sign of weakness. It does mean that we, with the help of God, maintain a balanced perspective in all of life's circumstances.

Be wise today and always – be balanced and faithful.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Stuck Like Glue



I like the Message translation of Jeremiah 11-12, 

God’s Message came to me: 
“What do you see, Jeremiah?”
    I said, “A walking stick—that’s all.”
And God said, “Good eyes! I’m sticking with you.
    I’ll make every word I give you come true.”

Isn't that a great promise given by God? He gives the same promise to us as believers. We have His Word, and that we're in the Father's hand and no one can release us from His grip! Talk about hope and security! Amen?

Be wise today and always - stick with God. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Excellence




Here’s Five Things We Can Learn from God’s Word about Maintaining Excellence in All We Do:

1. Work with enthusiasm. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23 TEV).
2. Sharpen your skills. “If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead” (Ecclesiastes 10:10 TEV).
3. Keep your word. “Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is!” (Proverbs 20:6 TEV)
4. Maintain a positive attitude. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16a NIV).
5. Do more than is expected., “If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously” (Matthew 5:40-42 MSG).

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23 TEV)

Be wise today and always – everything you do is for Jesus!