My husband and I read an interesting statement during our devotions the other evening. E.W. Kenyon, author of "The Two Kinds of Faith" says, "It seems that God is limited by our prayer life, that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him to do it."
Don't discount that statement until you mull it over for a while. If that is true, it certainly puts a tremendous responsibility upon us as believers and as His children.
Maybe Isaiah 45:26 helps us understand that statement a little better. Speaking prophetically, Isaiah has the Lord saying, "Put me in remembrance; let us plead together: set thou forth thy cause, that thou mayest be justified." That indicates God wants us to remind Him of His promises, not that He has forgotten about them. It honors Him when He knows we trust Him, and He wants us to come to Him with our questions, our needs, our problems, our petitions. When we "set forth our cause," it's as though we're standing before the throne like a lawyer and presenting, or pleading our case, our cause, or the thing we want God to do.
The last part of the 11th verse of the same chapter, Isaiah 45, adds still more meaning to this profound statement. "(C)oncerning the work of my hands, command ye me." Did you know we can command God? I didn't say it -- the Bible says it!
This agrees with John 15:7: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." I've read many, many times that the word "ask" in that verse means "command." That doesn't mean we approach God in an arrogant manner; far from it. We approach Him as a partner and, like a lawyer, as we mentioned, we lay our case before Him.
All great men and women who have been mighty in prayer have reminded God of His promises and laid their causes before Him legally. Most of us today are living beneath our legal spiritual privileges in God in Christ Jesus.
Let's determine we are not going to limit God by our prayer life.
Preacher's Kid
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
MORE ABOUT ANGELS
What angel experiences have you encountered?
In 1950, my father unexpectedly dropped dead from a heart attack the day after Christmas after shoveling a light dusting of snow from in front of the bank where he worked. Just before someone came to our house to tell us the sad news, my sister was awakened by what sounded like an angelic choir singing the most beautiful music she had ever heard -- "There's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven."
One night in Dayton, Ohio, when she went to her car after her night job of teaching at a business college, she discovered she had a flat tire. Father did not let either of us girls drive until we first learned to change a flat tire, so that presented no problem. However, her car was parked in a very undesirable section of town. She started to change the tire when a big man walked up and said he would change it for her. She felt very safe and comfortable in his presence, although he was a stranger. Out of politeness, she tried to start a conversation with him, but he was extremely reticent in talking. He refused her proffered payment and walked down the street and around the corner. She left the same way, in her car, and was going to roll down her window as she passed him and thank him again. But when she turned the corner, no one was in sight, and there was no place he could have gone! She always felt that was an angel, and who's to say it wasn't?
Some years later I taught night school at the same business college and was driving home alone. When it was dark, I always stayed on the main roads rather than take the short cut through the little-traveled back road. I also had to cross a one-way bridge on that back road. I don't know if I fell asleep at the wheel one night, or what. But when I "came to" -- I know no other way to express it, I was on that solitary back road and had crossed that one-way bridge without realizing it. Had an angel been guarding me, possibly even driving my car?
One winter night when I lived near Buffalo, New York, I was coming off the thru way on an icy, slippery road and had to make a 90-degree left-hand turn at the bottom of the downhill ramp. The car went out of control and there was no way I could stop it; I was headed for the field across the road and another car that had already crashed the fence. I didn't even have time to plead the Blood. I simply took my feet off both brake and accelerator, lifted my hands off the steering wheel and said, "Jesus!" Immediately the car righted itself and made the neatest left-hand turn you ever saw.
Angels? Yes. There's no doubt in my mind they exist and intercede on our behalf more than we realize.
Thank God for your guardian angels!
Preacher's Kid
In 1950, my father unexpectedly dropped dead from a heart attack the day after Christmas after shoveling a light dusting of snow from in front of the bank where he worked. Just before someone came to our house to tell us the sad news, my sister was awakened by what sounded like an angelic choir singing the most beautiful music she had ever heard -- "There's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven."
One night in Dayton, Ohio, when she went to her car after her night job of teaching at a business college, she discovered she had a flat tire. Father did not let either of us girls drive until we first learned to change a flat tire, so that presented no problem. However, her car was parked in a very undesirable section of town. She started to change the tire when a big man walked up and said he would change it for her. She felt very safe and comfortable in his presence, although he was a stranger. Out of politeness, she tried to start a conversation with him, but he was extremely reticent in talking. He refused her proffered payment and walked down the street and around the corner. She left the same way, in her car, and was going to roll down her window as she passed him and thank him again. But when she turned the corner, no one was in sight, and there was no place he could have gone! She always felt that was an angel, and who's to say it wasn't?
Some years later I taught night school at the same business college and was driving home alone. When it was dark, I always stayed on the main roads rather than take the short cut through the little-traveled back road. I also had to cross a one-way bridge on that back road. I don't know if I fell asleep at the wheel one night, or what. But when I "came to" -- I know no other way to express it, I was on that solitary back road and had crossed that one-way bridge without realizing it. Had an angel been guarding me, possibly even driving my car?
One winter night when I lived near Buffalo, New York, I was coming off the thru way on an icy, slippery road and had to make a 90-degree left-hand turn at the bottom of the downhill ramp. The car went out of control and there was no way I could stop it; I was headed for the field across the road and another car that had already crashed the fence. I didn't even have time to plead the Blood. I simply took my feet off both brake and accelerator, lifted my hands off the steering wheel and said, "Jesus!" Immediately the car righted itself and made the neatest left-hand turn you ever saw.
Angels? Yes. There's no doubt in my mind they exist and intercede on our behalf more than we realize.
Thank God for your guardian angels!
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, February 25, 2010
GUARDIAN ANGELS
Do you believe in angels? Guardian angels? I do. I've had too many angelic encounters to believe otherwise. I don't mean I've seen any angels with my physical eyes, but I've experienced their watchcare in my life many times.
We're told several places in Scripture that God has given His angels charge over us. Angels are ministering spirits, or messengers, you could say. A messenger is one who is sent. Have you ever sent angels to minister for you? I never fly on an airplane unless I direct the angels to carry the plane safely through the air. I even tell them to sit on the wings, to dance on the wings and to surround the plane with their presence.
I once read an analogy between angels and waitresses in a restaurant. Both are messengers. And just as a waitress cannot bring you your food until you order it, so the angels need to be told what it is you want them to do! I don't mean one should pray to angels. We pray only to God, in Jesus' Name! But we CAN tell and direct angels concerning what we need them to do.
I like Psalm 91:11, 12: "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
We would be shocked and overwhelmed if we could ever look back upon our lives and see the many, many times when angels had stepped into our circumstances, guided, directed, and protected us.
Why not give your guardian angels some direction and guidance? Try it -- it works!
Preacher's Kid
We're told several places in Scripture that God has given His angels charge over us. Angels are ministering spirits, or messengers, you could say. A messenger is one who is sent. Have you ever sent angels to minister for you? I never fly on an airplane unless I direct the angels to carry the plane safely through the air. I even tell them to sit on the wings, to dance on the wings and to surround the plane with their presence.
I once read an analogy between angels and waitresses in a restaurant. Both are messengers. And just as a waitress cannot bring you your food until you order it, so the angels need to be told what it is you want them to do! I don't mean one should pray to angels. We pray only to God, in Jesus' Name! But we CAN tell and direct angels concerning what we need them to do.
I like Psalm 91:11, 12: "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
We would be shocked and overwhelmed if we could ever look back upon our lives and see the many, many times when angels had stepped into our circumstances, guided, directed, and protected us.
Why not give your guardian angels some direction and guidance? Try it -- it works!
Preacher's Kid
Monday, February 22, 2010
DEVOTIONAL TIME
Would you be shocked if I'd say that daily devotions should not be an act of obedience to God?
"Wait a minute," you're saying! OK. I won't leave you dangling there! How about this? Devotions should be an opportunity not only to talk to God, but also to hear from God -- a God Who loves you just as you are.
In other words, daily devotions constitute a two-way street. It's so easy to treat our devotional time as a one-way street where we bring our petitions to God, say "Amen," and then run along on our merry way, busy with the pressures of daily life. Or go to bed and go to sleep, cutting off thoughts of God completely. But devotions should be so much more.
How often do we take the time during our devotional period, to become calm and quiet and wait to hear from God? Do we allow Him to speak to us through His Word? Do we ever ask Him to let some portion of His Word stand out to us in a meaningful way? Do we ever bring a problem to Him and ask Him to show us His answer through His Word and then wait to see what Scripture He may bring to our minds that will give us the direction we need?
When you have your daily devotions today, try letting God speak to you. You might be greatly surprised!
Preacher's Kid
"Wait a minute," you're saying! OK. I won't leave you dangling there! How about this? Devotions should be an opportunity not only to talk to God, but also to hear from God -- a God Who loves you just as you are.
In other words, daily devotions constitute a two-way street. It's so easy to treat our devotional time as a one-way street where we bring our petitions to God, say "Amen," and then run along on our merry way, busy with the pressures of daily life. Or go to bed and go to sleep, cutting off thoughts of God completely. But devotions should be so much more.
How often do we take the time during our devotional period, to become calm and quiet and wait to hear from God? Do we allow Him to speak to us through His Word? Do we ever ask Him to let some portion of His Word stand out to us in a meaningful way? Do we ever bring a problem to Him and ask Him to show us His answer through His Word and then wait to see what Scripture He may bring to our minds that will give us the direction we need?
When you have your daily devotions today, try letting God speak to you. You might be greatly surprised!
Preacher's Kid
Friday, February 19, 2010
MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK
A number of years ago, the telephone directory for Grand Rapids had these words written on its cover: "Look in the book first." It was a reminder to check the pages for a telephone number before calling an operator for help.
That reminds me of what I've been told many times in my life: "Read the instructions." I'm impulsive by nature; and if I have something that needs to be assembled, I seldom bother with instructions -- until my efforts get me nowhere fast!
I'm sure you can see a spiritual application of both those phrases! We need to cultivate the habit of looking in the Manufacturer's Handbook for Christians, the Bible, for instructions in living the Christian life. Direction is there; guidance is there. Whether we want to engage in some activity, or become involved in a relationship, or just need advice in a particular situation, we should first "look in the Book" for God's wisdom, counsel and approval. With His blessing upon our lives, we can avoid many pitfalls that could otherwise cause us untold grief and sorrow.
Have you taken time to look in the Book lately?
Preacher's Kid
That reminds me of what I've been told many times in my life: "Read the instructions." I'm impulsive by nature; and if I have something that needs to be assembled, I seldom bother with instructions -- until my efforts get me nowhere fast!
I'm sure you can see a spiritual application of both those phrases! We need to cultivate the habit of looking in the Manufacturer's Handbook for Christians, the Bible, for instructions in living the Christian life. Direction is there; guidance is there. Whether we want to engage in some activity, or become involved in a relationship, or just need advice in a particular situation, we should first "look in the Book" for God's wisdom, counsel and approval. With His blessing upon our lives, we can avoid many pitfalls that could otherwise cause us untold grief and sorrow.
Have you taken time to look in the Book lately?
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, February 18, 2010
GIVING THANKS IN EVERYTHING
In our devotions this evening, my husband and I read an interesting story written by Merlin Carothers. (Praise, incidentally, is the main theme in all of his booklets, and he has eight or nine -- including his well-known booklet "From Prison to Praise.")
The story told about an attorney who was an habitual drunk for years but who gave his heart to the Lord and was delivered from his drinking habit. In his jubilation for what the Lord had done for him, he tried talking about it to Christian people. When they wouldn't listen to him, he began witnessing to prisoners in jail, and giving them Bibles. Many were converted through his ministry. However, he was nervous about his witnessing and asked God to give him a calmness of spirit. Then one day he read I Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." He realized he had never done that. And as he began thanking and praising the Lord, his nervousness left!
Notice the verse doesn't say "give thanks FOR everything;" it says "give thanks IN everything." There's a big difference between "for" and "in." You may not be able to thank and praise the Lord FOR your given circumstances, but you can thank and praise him IN your circumstances.
Meditate on that difference, then start praising God IN your circumstances.
Preacher's Kid
The story told about an attorney who was an habitual drunk for years but who gave his heart to the Lord and was delivered from his drinking habit. In his jubilation for what the Lord had done for him, he tried talking about it to Christian people. When they wouldn't listen to him, he began witnessing to prisoners in jail, and giving them Bibles. Many were converted through his ministry. However, he was nervous about his witnessing and asked God to give him a calmness of spirit. Then one day he read I Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." He realized he had never done that. And as he began thanking and praising the Lord, his nervousness left!
Notice the verse doesn't say "give thanks FOR everything;" it says "give thanks IN everything." There's a big difference between "for" and "in." You may not be able to thank and praise the Lord FOR your given circumstances, but you can thank and praise him IN your circumstances.
Meditate on that difference, then start praising God IN your circumstances.
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
RICHES UNTOLD
My husband and I ran across a couple interesting Scriptures during our devotions last evening. One was in I Corinthians 3:21: "For all things are yours." I like the Living Bible paraphrase which says, "For God has already given you everything you need." I once read a statement that, "It takes faith to get into the family of God; but after you get in, all things are yours." According to that Scripture I just quoted, that statement's not far off track!
OK. Start listing all the things you need: i.e., life, breath, food, clothes, finances, strength, etc., etc. If you need those things, they're yours ALREADY according to the Bible.
The second interesting Scripture we ran across is found in Ephesians 1:3 where Paul tells us that God has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings."
And what does that phrase "ALL spiritual blessings" mean -- not some, but ALL. Start naming those blessings. Make a written list of them. For starters, salvation, forgivenness, love, gentleness, meekness, patience and on and on and on.
It takes faith to get into the family of God. We believe in His Word to become a child of God. But once we belong to Him, should we pray and ask Him for all these blessings and other things we need? How can it take still more faith to get them if they're ALREADY ours? Think about it.
Don't tune me out, now. According to these Scriptures, we ALREADY HAVE all we need; we've ALREADY been given not some, but EVERY spiritual blessing. Sounds to me as though we should begin thanking and praising God for ALREADY giving us EVERYTHING WE NEED!
It's not a matter of struggling, praying, and begging. It's a matter of praising and rejoicing!
These things ALREADY belong to the child of God.
Are you His child? Just thought I'd ask.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. If you're already God's child, why not start living like it and enjoy your God-given privileges?
OK. Start listing all the things you need: i.e., life, breath, food, clothes, finances, strength, etc., etc. If you need those things, they're yours ALREADY according to the Bible.
The second interesting Scripture we ran across is found in Ephesians 1:3 where Paul tells us that God has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings."
And what does that phrase "ALL spiritual blessings" mean -- not some, but ALL. Start naming those blessings. Make a written list of them. For starters, salvation, forgivenness, love, gentleness, meekness, patience and on and on and on.
It takes faith to get into the family of God. We believe in His Word to become a child of God. But once we belong to Him, should we pray and ask Him for all these blessings and other things we need? How can it take still more faith to get them if they're ALREADY ours? Think about it.
Don't tune me out, now. According to these Scriptures, we ALREADY HAVE all we need; we've ALREADY been given not some, but EVERY spiritual blessing. Sounds to me as though we should begin thanking and praising God for ALREADY giving us EVERYTHING WE NEED!
It's not a matter of struggling, praying, and begging. It's a matter of praising and rejoicing!
These things ALREADY belong to the child of God.
Are you His child? Just thought I'd ask.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. If you're already God's child, why not start living like it and enjoy your God-given privileges?
Monday, February 15, 2010
PRAISING THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY
The very last verse of Psalms, chapter 150:6, says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."
How well I remember Bro. Tompkins, an elderly gentleman who attended Mother's mission church in Dayton, Ohio, many years ago quote that Scripture, not only when he was testifying, but also when encouraging others to testify. "Are you breathing?" he'd ask. "If so, then you ought to be on your feet praising the Lord!"
In answer to that admonition, I would often reply to myself, "But I don't feel like praising the Lord just now!"
Wait a minute! Now that I'm older, I see the logic of Bro. Tompkins' oft repeated exhortation. For I've come to realize that Ps. 150:6 doesn't say one single word about "feeling" like giving praise to the Lord. It simply says, "If you are alive and breathing, DO it!"
Sometimes it's relatively easy to praise the Lord in church, especially when others are caught up in the spirit of praise. Their enthusiasm is contagious. But if we praise the Lord just because we're caught up in the excitement of everyone else's praise, is that really praising the Lord wholeheartedly?
How about praising the Lord when we're home alone, and there's no excitement and enthusiasm to boost our spiritual libido?
Substitute the word "soul" for "heart." "Soul" includes our will, our intellect, our emotions. To praise the Lord at church, sometimes all we need is emotion; but at home we HAVE to use our mind, or our intellect. Feelings still don't enter into the picture, although they can, and will, at times.
So when are we really praising God -- at home when we feel spiritual dry, or at church when we feel goose bumps? Just thought I'd ask!
Hey, do you have breath? If so, use it -- to praise the Lord, that is.
Preacher's Kid
How well I remember Bro. Tompkins, an elderly gentleman who attended Mother's mission church in Dayton, Ohio, many years ago quote that Scripture, not only when he was testifying, but also when encouraging others to testify. "Are you breathing?" he'd ask. "If so, then you ought to be on your feet praising the Lord!"
In answer to that admonition, I would often reply to myself, "But I don't feel like praising the Lord just now!"
Wait a minute! Now that I'm older, I see the logic of Bro. Tompkins' oft repeated exhortation. For I've come to realize that Ps. 150:6 doesn't say one single word about "feeling" like giving praise to the Lord. It simply says, "If you are alive and breathing, DO it!"
Sometimes it's relatively easy to praise the Lord in church, especially when others are caught up in the spirit of praise. Their enthusiasm is contagious. But if we praise the Lord just because we're caught up in the excitement of everyone else's praise, is that really praising the Lord wholeheartedly?
How about praising the Lord when we're home alone, and there's no excitement and enthusiasm to boost our spiritual libido?
Substitute the word "soul" for "heart." "Soul" includes our will, our intellect, our emotions. To praise the Lord at church, sometimes all we need is emotion; but at home we HAVE to use our mind, or our intellect. Feelings still don't enter into the picture, although they can, and will, at times.
So when are we really praising God -- at home when we feel spiritual dry, or at church when we feel goose bumps? Just thought I'd ask!
Hey, do you have breath? If so, use it -- to praise the Lord, that is.
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, February 11, 2010
ALIVE AND WELL . . .
Alive, yes. Well . . . that's another story! I've managed to contact a nasty head cold until all I've done for the past two days is sit in my La-Z-Boy chair covered with one of those blankets with sleeves in it! I've tried to work on some computer stuff but can't concentrate -- seems all I do is grab a Kleenex to catch the drips!!! Can't even read; then my eyes start watering!
Thank goodness for a husband who doesn't mind cooking!
I've got to get well by Saturday, though, as I'm scheduled to speak at a Valentine's dinner for Singles our church is sponsoring. My topic is "Reflections on 75 Years of Single Life." They've asked for something "Tongue-in-Cheek" and believe me, that's what they're going to get! It's altogether too long to put in a blog; otherwise, I'd share it with you!
See you when I get over this miserable cold!
Preacher's Kid
Thank goodness for a husband who doesn't mind cooking!
I've got to get well by Saturday, though, as I'm scheduled to speak at a Valentine's dinner for Singles our church is sponsoring. My topic is "Reflections on 75 Years of Single Life." They've asked for something "Tongue-in-Cheek" and believe me, that's what they're going to get! It's altogether too long to put in a blog; otherwise, I'd share it with you!
See you when I get over this miserable cold!
Preacher's Kid
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
DO'S AND DON'TS
Does your church/denomination have a ledger of Do's and Don'ts? Not necessarily a written list, but sort of an unspoken list? Don't slip and say a bad word, for example. Or don't take a cigarette. Bow your head and pray every time you eat -- no exceptions! Some people would insist we've lost our standing before God Almighty if we are guilty of violating any of these rules and myriads of similar requirements.
But is any one sin worse than another? How about gossip? (Or am I meddling?) Sowing strife and dissention? (I'm sure you'd never do that!) Overeating? (Watch it!) Holier-than-thou attitudes? (Ouch!) Refusing to speak to others, especially if they differ from us? (Oh, no, not me!)
What if Christ had refused to go to Zacchaeus' house for dinner?
What if Christ had refused to call Matthew as a disciple?
What if Christ had refused to have anything to do with Judas?
What if Christ had refused to forgive Peter when he denied him?
What if Christ had refused to talk to the woman at the well?
What if Christ had refused to have anything to do with Mary Magadelene because she was a prostitute?
What if Christ had refused to forgive the woman taken in adultery? (He didn't even condemn her!)
What if Christ had gotten rid of the disciples when they quarreled among themselves?
And speaking of one sin being worse than another, what about judgmental attitudes? (No one reading this blog could possibly be guilty of that, I'm sure!!!)
In conclusion, here are two questions for you to think about:
1) Do you have a judgmental attitude?
2) Will your judgmental attitude help others turn to God?
Just thought I'd ask!
Preacher's Kid
And what about judgmentalism?
But is any one sin worse than another? How about gossip? (Or am I meddling?) Sowing strife and dissention? (I'm sure you'd never do that!) Overeating? (Watch it!) Holier-than-thou attitudes? (Ouch!) Refusing to speak to others, especially if they differ from us? (Oh, no, not me!)
What if Christ had refused to go to Zacchaeus' house for dinner?
What if Christ had refused to call Matthew as a disciple?
What if Christ had refused to have anything to do with Judas?
What if Christ had refused to forgive Peter when he denied him?
What if Christ had refused to talk to the woman at the well?
What if Christ had refused to have anything to do with Mary Magadelene because she was a prostitute?
What if Christ had refused to forgive the woman taken in adultery? (He didn't even condemn her!)
What if Christ had gotten rid of the disciples when they quarreled among themselves?
And speaking of one sin being worse than another, what about judgmental attitudes? (No one reading this blog could possibly be guilty of that, I'm sure!!!)
In conclusion, here are two questions for you to think about:
1) Do you have a judgmental attitude?
2) Will your judgmental attitude help others turn to God?
Just thought I'd ask!
Preacher's Kid
And what about judgmentalism?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
SEZ WHO?
Do you remember the old TV commercial for Milk of Magnesia? Two ladies were sitting next to each other on the deck of a ship. Lady #1 pulled out a bottle of a well-known laxative intending to use it. In a voice of reproof, Lady #2 said, "You're not taking THAT, are you? Don't you know it has harsh chemicals that will harm your bodily systems?"
"Sez who?" replied Lady #1 frostily.
"It says right here on my bottle" responded Lady #2, pulling out her bottle of Milk of Magnesia and pointing to it as she read, "Other products contain harsh chemicals."
Have you ever known anyone who believed anything and everything, spiritually speaking, that is, without checking facts against the Word of God?
A friend of mine once received a tract condemning the celebration of Easter. But the tract cited no Scriptural basis to substantiate that premise. That same individual no longer celebrates Christmas in any way, shape or form because of something that was said by another individual who had no Scriptural basis to back up the claim that it was wrong to celebrate the season of Christ's birth as we have no documentation of when He was born.
I could go on and on with similar examples, but you get my drift, I'm sure. The bottom line is, don't fall prey to false teachings that can't be substantiated by the Word of God.
We must be sure "It says right here on the bottle" before accepting any spiritual doctrines and teachings.
Remember: "Sez who?"
Preacher's Kid
"Sez who?" replied Lady #1 frostily.
"It says right here on my bottle" responded Lady #2, pulling out her bottle of Milk of Magnesia and pointing to it as she read, "Other products contain harsh chemicals."
Have you ever known anyone who believed anything and everything, spiritually speaking, that is, without checking facts against the Word of God?
A friend of mine once received a tract condemning the celebration of Easter. But the tract cited no Scriptural basis to substantiate that premise. That same individual no longer celebrates Christmas in any way, shape or form because of something that was said by another individual who had no Scriptural basis to back up the claim that it was wrong to celebrate the season of Christ's birth as we have no documentation of when He was born.
I could go on and on with similar examples, but you get my drift, I'm sure. The bottom line is, don't fall prey to false teachings that can't be substantiated by the Word of God.
We must be sure "It says right here on the bottle" before accepting any spiritual doctrines and teachings.
Remember: "Sez who?"
Preacher's Kid
Friday, February 5, 2010
WHERE ARE YOUR THOUGHTS CENTERED?
When you're facing insurmountable problems, which looms larger on your horizon -- your problems or God?
Matthew 6:25 spells out the pattern for our attitude concerning material things -- an attitude of faith and trust. "Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on."
Verse 35 of the same chapter gives us further instructions for handling difficult circumstances. "(B)ut seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
We cannot have faith and trust if all we can see on the narrow vision of our mental screen is our problems. Whichever looms larger in our sight will determine what we are mostly conscious of -- problems or God.
We cannot figure out how God will meet our needs. That's not our business. Our business is to become God-centered rather than problem-centered.
You've no doubt seen the poster that says, "Help me to remember, Lord, that nothing's gonna happen today that You and I can't handle together."
Which is bigger in your life -- problems or God?
Preacher's Kid
Matthew 6:25 spells out the pattern for our attitude concerning material things -- an attitude of faith and trust. "Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on."
Verse 35 of the same chapter gives us further instructions for handling difficult circumstances. "(B)ut seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
We cannot have faith and trust if all we can see on the narrow vision of our mental screen is our problems. Whichever looms larger in our sight will determine what we are mostly conscious of -- problems or God.
We cannot figure out how God will meet our needs. That's not our business. Our business is to become God-centered rather than problem-centered.
You've no doubt seen the poster that says, "Help me to remember, Lord, that nothing's gonna happen today that You and I can't handle together."
Which is bigger in your life -- problems or God?
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, February 4, 2010
DRIVEN OR LED?
A favorite saying of my mother, an ordained minister, was, "The devil drives, but the Lord leads."
We're all familiar with the words of the Psalmist David, "He leadeth me beside the still waters." God doesn't DRIVE, or force us to the quiet, peaceful waters of His love and presence, He gently LEADS us. It's up to us to follow.
Everything and everyone on earth is ruled or dominated by spirits of the unseen world whether they be good spirits or evil spirits. I John 5:19 (LB) says, "We know that we are children of God and that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control."
The spirit world is the world in which God lives. It's also the world in which the devil lives. Both are alive and active. While Satan rules the world and dominates those who are not saved, he does NOT control us. We are IN the world, but we are not OF the world. Christ tells us that several times as He speaks with His disciples for the last time just before going to the cross and also in His High Priestly prayer. Read the Gospel of John, chapters 14 - 17.
Have you ever felt DRIVEN to do something? The next time you feel that way, just remember that the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will never drive, push or force you into action. And never forget -- The devil drives, but the Lord leads.
How about you? Do you let the Evil One drive you? Or do you let God, through the Holy Spirit gently lead you?
Preacher's Kid
We're all familiar with the words of the Psalmist David, "He leadeth me beside the still waters." God doesn't DRIVE, or force us to the quiet, peaceful waters of His love and presence, He gently LEADS us. It's up to us to follow.
Everything and everyone on earth is ruled or dominated by spirits of the unseen world whether they be good spirits or evil spirits. I John 5:19 (LB) says, "We know that we are children of God and that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control."
The spirit world is the world in which God lives. It's also the world in which the devil lives. Both are alive and active. While Satan rules the world and dominates those who are not saved, he does NOT control us. We are IN the world, but we are not OF the world. Christ tells us that several times as He speaks with His disciples for the last time just before going to the cross and also in His High Priestly prayer. Read the Gospel of John, chapters 14 - 17.
Have you ever felt DRIVEN to do something? The next time you feel that way, just remember that the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will never drive, push or force you into action. And never forget -- The devil drives, but the Lord leads.
How about you? Do you let the Evil One drive you? Or do you let God, through the Holy Spirit gently lead you?
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
WHEN WERE THE DISCIPLES BORN AGAIN?
Would I shock you if I said that the disciples were born again on the Day of Pentecost? That's not what some of us have been taught!
As a teenager I asked my mother (an ordained Holiness minister) this question, but she was unable to give me a definite answer. She said she didn't rightly know, but it had to have been sometime when Jesus was on earth. Our church taught that on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were "sanctified," and, of course, one had to be born again before he/she could be sanctified.
But let me ask you another question. How could the disciples or anyone else, for that matter, have been born again before Christ died and rose again?
Maybe you're wondering about Martha, for example. Didn't she believe in Jesus? And how about Peter? Surely he believed in Christ. But what was it they believed? In John 11:27 Martha said that she believed that Christ was the Son of God. Read it for yourself. Ditto for Peter in Matthew 16:16.
Salvation depends not upon our believing that Jesus is the Son of God but that He is the Substitute for our sins -- and at that time He had not yet become that Substitute. So Martha's and Peter's confessions were not confessions that Christ had died for their sins and risen for their salvation. They were simply confessions that Christ was the Messiah and the Son of God.
Did you ever notice John 20:9? In speaking about the resurrection John admitted, "For as yet they" (referring to the disciples) "knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead." When Christ was crucified, His followers had no idea He was dying on their behalf, as their Substitute. They didn't know He rose again as their Savior.
If this little blog gives you something to "chew on," my goal for today has been accomplished!
Preacher's Kid
As a teenager I asked my mother (an ordained Holiness minister) this question, but she was unable to give me a definite answer. She said she didn't rightly know, but it had to have been sometime when Jesus was on earth. Our church taught that on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were "sanctified," and, of course, one had to be born again before he/she could be sanctified.
But let me ask you another question. How could the disciples or anyone else, for that matter, have been born again before Christ died and rose again?
Maybe you're wondering about Martha, for example. Didn't she believe in Jesus? And how about Peter? Surely he believed in Christ. But what was it they believed? In John 11:27 Martha said that she believed that Christ was the Son of God. Read it for yourself. Ditto for Peter in Matthew 16:16.
Salvation depends not upon our believing that Jesus is the Son of God but that He is the Substitute for our sins -- and at that time He had not yet become that Substitute. So Martha's and Peter's confessions were not confessions that Christ had died for their sins and risen for their salvation. They were simply confessions that Christ was the Messiah and the Son of God.
Did you ever notice John 20:9? In speaking about the resurrection John admitted, "For as yet they" (referring to the disciples) "knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead." When Christ was crucified, His followers had no idea He was dying on their behalf, as their Substitute. They didn't know He rose again as their Savior.
If this little blog gives you something to "chew on," my goal for today has been accomplished!
Preacher's Kid
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
HOPE AND FAITH
I really didn't intend to blog any more about faith. But AFTER I wrote yesterday's blog, my husband and I read some fantastic stuff about faith in our evening devotions. The moment we read it, I said to myself, "If only we had read that BEFORE I wrote my blog!
I especially liked the way the author (E.W. Kenyon) described faith. He explains that "Faith is grasping the realities of hope and bringing them into the realm of reality." Then he adds what I've been trying to say: "Faith grows out of the Word of God."
He says that "Mental Assent is seeing it, admiring it, saying 'it is true, but not in my case.'"
In contrasting hope with faith, he points out that "Hope says, 'I will get it sometime.' Faith says, 'I have it now.'" That statement reminded me of Romans 4:17 where it speaks about God calling "those things which are not, as though they were." The Living Bible words it a little differently and says that God "speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past." Now, THAT'S faith!!!
"Real faith in the Word says, 'If God says it is true, it is. . . If He says that God shall supply every need of mine, He will do it. If God says He is the strength of my life, He is. . . If He says that I am strong, I am. If He says that He cares for me, I know that He does.'"
The author concludes his short chapter on faith by stating that "Faith is the result of the Word dwelling in us. I don't mean the Word committed to memory. I mean the Word lived, practiced until it has become a part of ourselves. We meditate in it. We think deeply in it. We feed upon it. The Word becomes a very part of ourselves;" it "builds into us confidence and assurance."
Hope these thoughts make this subject of faith a little clearer. I was especially blessed by reading them as they simply confirmed what I have been trying to blog about!
Hey, does YOUR faith consider future events with as much certainty as though they were already past?
Just thought I'd ask!
Preacher's Kid
I especially liked the way the author (E.W. Kenyon) described faith. He explains that "Faith is grasping the realities of hope and bringing them into the realm of reality." Then he adds what I've been trying to say: "Faith grows out of the Word of God."
He says that "Mental Assent is seeing it, admiring it, saying 'it is true, but not in my case.'"
In contrasting hope with faith, he points out that "Hope says, 'I will get it sometime.' Faith says, 'I have it now.'" That statement reminded me of Romans 4:17 where it speaks about God calling "those things which are not, as though they were." The Living Bible words it a little differently and says that God "speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past." Now, THAT'S faith!!!
"Real faith in the Word says, 'If God says it is true, it is. . . If He says that God shall supply every need of mine, He will do it. If God says He is the strength of my life, He is. . . If He says that I am strong, I am. If He says that He cares for me, I know that He does.'"
The author concludes his short chapter on faith by stating that "Faith is the result of the Word dwelling in us. I don't mean the Word committed to memory. I mean the Word lived, practiced until it has become a part of ourselves. We meditate in it. We think deeply in it. We feed upon it. The Word becomes a very part of ourselves;" it "builds into us confidence and assurance."
Hope these thoughts make this subject of faith a little clearer. I was especially blessed by reading them as they simply confirmed what I have been trying to blog about!
Hey, does YOUR faith consider future events with as much certainty as though they were already past?
Just thought I'd ask!
Preacher's Kid
Monday, February 1, 2010
MORE ABOUT THIS BUSINESS OF FAITH
We've talked about the difference between Mental Assent and heart-felt Faith. Maybe we should refer to the latter as Appropriating Faith. What it boils down to, is the difference between "can" and "will."
It's so easy to say "I believe God CAN do this, that, or the other." But how often can we honestly say with all conviction, "I KNOW God will do such-and-such."
Faith is expecting God to do what is His will. But we have no basis for faith unless we know, first of all, what God's will is.
Maybe you're wondering how we can find His will. Reread the last two blogs -- it's by reading, studying and meditating upon His Word.
Genesis 15:6 (LB) says "And Abraham believed God; then God considered him righteous on account of his faith." We're familiar with the story of how Abraham held fast his confidence when his faith was tested. He simply believed God. He was occupied with God's Word -- not in the sense of the Bible that we have today, for the Bible did not exist in that day and age. But he was occupied with what God had said to him.
And although Hebrews 10:35, 36 was not written when Abraham was alive, he practiced the precept presented there: "Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
So long as you have the Word of God as the basis for your faith, don't cast away your confidence. Hang on!!
Preacher's Kid
It's so easy to say "I believe God CAN do this, that, or the other." But how often can we honestly say with all conviction, "I KNOW God will do such-and-such."
Faith is expecting God to do what is His will. But we have no basis for faith unless we know, first of all, what God's will is.
Maybe you're wondering how we can find His will. Reread the last two blogs -- it's by reading, studying and meditating upon His Word.
Genesis 15:6 (LB) says "And Abraham believed God; then God considered him righteous on account of his faith." We're familiar with the story of how Abraham held fast his confidence when his faith was tested. He simply believed God. He was occupied with God's Word -- not in the sense of the Bible that we have today, for the Bible did not exist in that day and age. But he was occupied with what God had said to him.
And although Hebrews 10:35, 36 was not written when Abraham was alive, he practiced the precept presented there: "Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
So long as you have the Word of God as the basis for your faith, don't cast away your confidence. Hang on!!
Preacher's Kid
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