Thought of the Day-July 9th, 2009

Today's Reading: Job 28-29; Acts 13:1-25
Today's Thoughts: Listen as a Disciple

The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. Isaiah 50:4
Do you ever find yourself knowing deep within the depths of your heart that God wants to bring about change, and even though you have been the one praying for it, you aren’t ready when He is ready to answer your prayer? Well, that happened to me today.

In the mornings, I spend time reading the Bible, praying on my knees and worshiping. Then I allow time for silence so that the Holy Spirit can minister to me in the quietness. Sometimes that’s all there is…quietness, which in itself is such a blessing before the day begins. But this morning’s quietness was different.

This morning the Lord wanted to impress something on my heart that I didn’t want to hear. My quiet time was cut short by my choice this morning. But the Lord didn’t quit, and right before I left the house, I got a strange impression that I was going to have to face something that I was refusing to hear from the Lord. And that is exactly what happened. Within two hours of my devotional time and one hour from the impression, I heard things that I wished I had heard first in the presence of the Lord. And then I found myself repenting to Him and shocked that it was actually going to come about. Foreknowledge would have eased my heart regarding this matter.

God’s intention is always for our best. We all have to remember that God does nothing without revealing His plans to His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). He desires to include us in His plans and He even places those desires within our hearts first. God wants to give to us whatever we ask in Jesus’ name to bring Him glory, as He fulfills the desires He has placed within our hearts. If we are in His Word and quiet in worship before Him, we can also be included when He unfolds His plans. Today, take time to just be still before Him and listen.

Quiet your heart and allow His heart to minister to you. And I am sure that your day will go better than mine did today.

Thought of the Day-July 8th, 2009

Grab Your Fly Swatter!

Julia Bettencourt
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoeverye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31

Have you ever considered the fly? It's such a small little thing and yet it can be so annoying and can really get in your way just like a bad habit. Think about how a fly buzzes around. Have you ever sat and tried to relax and read a book and there was a fly in the house? Of all the places to fly around, where does it go? That's right! Right on you, landing repeatedly on your hand.

You continually swat at it. Then it moves on to your leg. You swat at it several times. It goes away for a few minutes and then before you know it back it comes! This time it lands on your ear. You swat at it again. It buzzes around the room some more checking out the curtains and windows and you start to really get into your book and then buzz buzz it's right in your face this time.

That fly keeps pestering you over and over and you keep swatting at it with your hand but it continually comes back to land on your skin! That fly will never go away by you swinging at it. You have to finally go get the fly swatter! You have to have the right tool to take care of it and you have to actively pursue it to rid yourself of it. Swat! Finally it's taken care of.

It is the same way with a bad unspiritual habit that comes buzzing around in our lives. We know it's there and it keeps landing on us but somehow we find ourselves just swatting at it and never really taking care of the problem. The only way to get rid of our bad habits is to get up and get the fly swatter or the right tool. Our best tool against bad habits is the Word of God. It is the best swatter for bad habits that you will ever find.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16

God's Word is much better than a fly swatter. It acts like a heat seeking missile. KABOOM!

Take a minute to reflect on the fly that landed on you. Think about all the places that fly has been before it landed on your skin. Perhaps it was on that dead possum you passed along the road, in the smelly garbage can you opened this morning, buzzing on the backs of the pigs and cows that you passed in the fields along the road. It's not pleasant to think about, but what do you end up with when there are flies around? You guessed it--maggots! What does sin breed? Unspiritual habits! The unspiritual bad habits we display in our lives are rooted in sin and sin has a way of smelling up our lives. I Cor. 10:31. says "whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." If we are going to live this way we can't have bad habits hanging around buzzing to and fro. We have to take a good look at our lives, grab the right tool and actively pursue those things that keep us from honoring God.

Getting Started.One of the best places to get started with our trustworthy swatter, God's Word, is by reading Colossians 3:1- 17. If you want to improve your habits start by seeking something better for yourself. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those thingswhich are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things onthe earth." Colossians 3:1,2

Things to Swat.You know exactly what bad habits you need to swat in your individual life, but Colossians 3 gives us some things to start with that can develop unspiritual habits. Verse 5 says to "mortify" our members concerning several things. In other words make these things dead in all parts of our body.

fornication

uncleanness

inordinate affection

evil concupiscence

covetousness (idolatry)

More Things to Swat.

As we go on in Colossians 3 to verses 8 and 9, we see more things that we are told to put off or that we can swat. These all can lead to unspiritual bad habits in our lives. anger

wrath

malice

blasphemy

filthy communication

lies

Replace Bad Habits With Good Ones.

After we have asked for God's forgiveness for the bad habits which are rooted in sin, we need to commit not to get bogged down with them again."...seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the imageof him that created him."

Colossians 3:9,10 God helps us by giving us some things to replace the old things with in verses 12-16 of the same chapter of Colossians.

bowls of mercies

kindness

humbleness of mind

meekness

longsuffering

forbearing one another

charity

peace of God

thankfulness

Word of God

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and spiritual songs singing to the Lord

Keep Habits Under Control.

If we are going to keep our habits under control we are going to have to do as I Corinthians 10:31 says, "...do all to the glory of God." "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17

We need to think about everything we do, say, and think and determine whether it is for God's glory.

So, are there things you need to swat?

Thought of the Day-July 7th, 2009

High Definition Christian

By: Julia Bettencourt
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." James 4:8a

The new rage today is HDTV. High Definition Television. It's one of those technical advances that has come along in our society that is changing the way we view and see TV. It's quite amazing to see all the advanced technology that has come along since the old days of black and white.From what I've read, the main difference in high definition capabilities is that the lines of the picture are done in such a way that they are closer together so it comes across as clearer when we view it. There are other things that go along with it, such as better sound quality capability and sharp color definition. In high definition we view and hear things at the ultimate level.Christians have the capability to broadcast in high definition as well. The closer we are to Christ, the less gaps there are going to be in our walk with Him and in turn our picture and quality as a Christian is going to be clearer and of a better quality. People are going to know we are projecting Christ with a high level of intensity in our lives.

A High Definition Christian Will Have:
Better Picture Quality- When we begin spending time with Christ and drawing closer to Him, it changes us. It changes the way we act and react to the world around us. Spending time with Christ is one sure way of making yourself better and improving your overall picture quality as a Christian. When people see our lives, they should know our lives have meaning. They should see Christ in us.I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Better Color Quality - Drawing close to Christ makes us brighter and more vibrant. Others should see that we are portraying Christ in full color through our lives. We should be radiating joy, kindness, love, and all of those things that living for Christ entails. When others look at us we should be sharp and vivid because we know Christ.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Better Sound Quality - HDTV has the capability to operate in surround sound. It makes the things we hear richer and clearer. As Christians, what do we sound like? What we say and do shouldn't be just like the world. We should have a distinctive sound. When we get to know Christ and are spending time in prayer and in reading the Word of God, our speech will reflect that.Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.Philippians 2:14,15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15,16

High Definition Television is more than the standard display as we know it. It operates on a different mode. Our Christianity should be more than the standard too. When we are constantly in tune with Christ and spending time with Him, it draws us closer to Him. This makes us sharper and more distinctive because we start living like Christ. He starts being more visible in our lives. We begin displaying those vibrant fruits of the spirit. We start living in sharp contrast to the world. As Christians, our lives should be defined by Christ at the highest level.

So, is your Christian life broadcasting in high definition?

Thought of the Day-July 6th, 2009

Good Old Christian HospitalityJulia Bettencourt

...given to hospitality. Romans 12:13 I love reading through Romans chapter 12. I always find something I need to work on. Romans 12 has such great "directions" as it were all in one passage on specifics of how we should behave as a Christian. I think it's one of those passages that we should share with new Christians but it's also one of those passages we need to visit and revisit as older Christians too.Tips and pointers on various subjects is probably one of the most researched things on the Internet. I think this chapter in Romans is like a great search result for us for "Tips for Living the Christian Life".

This chapter is a wonderful source of information. It starts out in verses 1 and 2 of how we should live our lives as a sacrifice and holy. A great place to start! Verses 3-8 of that chapter goes on to talk about our spiritual gifts and verses 9 - 21 talks about how we should act, behave, and live our lives as a Christian. Isn't this chapter just chock full of those good tips and pointers that we need to know and need to implement in order to live for Christ more efficiently?

When we read through Romans 12:9-21 there are all of these things we should be doing as a Christian in regard to how we behave. It talks about our love, how we should regard evil, our diligence, how we should be patient in our tribulation or trials, our prayer life, and other things but when we reach verse 13 it talks about our hospitality. I just want to focus on that today. "distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" Romans 12:13 Right there in that chapter among what we would consider important things in our Christian lives, there is this reference to hospitality. That makes me think it's important too.

I've been thinking a lot about hospitality. As a Christian this should be one of our traits. We should be hospitable people. There are just some people that we automatically think of as hospitable. It doesn't matter whether you go into their home or not as a guest, they are just hospitable anywhere they are. I'm sure you may know a few people like that too but we should actually all be hospitable as Christians no matter where we are. We should be "given to hospitality". "Given to" is such a powerful phrase. It means that we are prone or disposed to something. We have a tendency or an inclination to it. When we are "given to" something we just automatically do it. It's part of our nature.

Hospitality refers basically to how we treat other people. Are we cordial, receptive, pleasant, generous? Do we treat other people in a manner as we would a guest? I have heard people say they don't want to be a Christian because a Christian treated them in a bad way or wasn't receptive to them. I've even heard people say they won't go to a certain church because it wasn't friendly or didn't welcome them. If we'd all be "given to hospitality" a little more I don't think we'd hear this as often. Face it. People want to feel welcomed, loved, and have some kind of affection given towards them. That falls to us as a Christian. We are the ones Christ left to do that. Christ wants us to show His love to others.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34,35 I don't think we can show this love to others if we turn them off the first time we meet them or have contact with them. We've got to be "given to hospitality" like it says in Romans 12. I Peter 4 is another one of those passages full of good things to know as a Christian.

Take a look at verse 9 in that chapter of how our hospitality should be. Again, right there in the midst of how we are no longer in the flesh and the importance of living in the spirit, hospitality is mentioned. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. I Peter 4:9 I think that some people just naturally cringe when they are asked to do something hospitable. Like it's going to kill them to have to go out of them way to do something extra. Something above and beyond. What's wrong with going above and beyond?

We've grown so complacent in how we live and how we act. I think we forget that longer vision of eternity. Without Christians in the world to show Christ's love, a big part of that through hospitality, how are we ever going to turn people to Christ? Also, how do we get along with other Christians when we lack that hospitality in our lives. I'm not talking about Southern hospitality either. Although that's well and good but it's associated more with manners than anything else.

I'm talking about good old Christian hospitality. Anyone can have a welcoming manner but our hospitality as Christians should come from deep within us because of our love for Christ. That's the kind of hospitality that we should be reflecting outward to others. When we think of hospitality we sometimes only think of being hospitable in our homes for guests, but I don't think it's like that.

We should exhibit it to others on a daily basis. Even with today's advances of Internet communication. It should be done with hospitality too. I've seen some online communication on message boards that wasn't so hospitable between Christians and I've gotten a few emails from other Christians that weren't too hospitable.

Thinking about hospitality so much has made me question how I come across to people. Am I as hospitable as I can be? Am I showing that love that Christ wants me to? Am I friendly on and offline? Do others see Christ in me everywhere I go?

Thought of the Day-July 3rd, 2009

My Salvation is About Him by Max Lucado
Who would look at the cross of Christ and say, “Great work, Jesus. Sorry you couldn’t finish it, but I’ll take up the slack.”?

Dare we question the crowning work of God? Dare we think heaven needs our help in saving us? Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us.

To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks, “How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ….What has happened to all your joy?” (Galatians 4:19, 15 NIV).

Legalism is joyless because legalism is endless. There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed. Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work but never joy. How could they? They never know when they are finished. Legalism leaches joy.
Grace, however, dispenses peace. The Christian trusts a finished work.
Grace offers rest. Legalism never does. Then why do we embrace it? “Those who trust in themselves are foolish” (Proverbs 28:26 NCV). Why do we trust in ourselves? Why do we add to God’s finished work?

But the truth is, we don’t. If we think we do, we have missed the message. “What is left for us to brag about?” Paul wonders (Romans 3:27 CEV). What is there indeed? What have you

contributed? Aside from your admission of utter decadence, I can’t think of a thing. “By his doing you are in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Salvation glorifies the Savior, not the saved.

Your salvation showcases God’s mercy. It makes nothing of your effort but everything of his. “I—yes, I alone—am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again” (Isaiah, 43:25, emphasis mine).

Can you add anything to this salvation? No. The work is finished.
Can you earn this salvation? No. Don’t dishonor God by trying.

Dare we boast about this salvation? By no means. The giver of bread, not the beggar, deserves praise. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).
It’s not about what we do; it’s all about what he does.

Thought of the Day-July 2nd, 2009

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Mahatma Gandhi

So what do you Will in your life?

Thought of the Day-July 1st, 2009

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Ephesians iv. 26

Why start off a second day off fresh. Carry over can create baggage and stress.

Resolve the issue before you lay your head to rest.