Preach not yourself...

Again this Sunday, I will share with you from a passage in scripture that was used in Sunday morning worship. Preacher was speaking about great deliverance from numerous strongholds in our lives. He started with 1 Chronicles 11:14. Then over to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

I won't be following the same lesson plan as he did. I will be using verses 3-7..."But if your gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

One of the biggest keys in this passage is that if we show not the gospel outwardly, it is hidden to the lost. The saved already have it, so it's not hidden to them. When we stay silent, it is the lost that we put in jeopardy. Makes me think, how about you?

The god of this world (satan) tries to keep their eyes hidden from the truth. Like the song says..."You're the only Jesus some will ever see"...Let that soak in for a minute...If you don't spread the love of Christ in word and deed, who will? Are you expecting someone to do follow-up work in your daily walk?

We don't preach ourselves...who does your conversation magnify? This points right back at me, too! When the focus is on us, people get misled. The end of verse 5 says we are servants' for Jesus' sake. That means we are doing it FOR HIM!!! I know it's a daily struggle to give up yourself and let God lead, but that's what we're called to do.

The light of God should shine in our hearts, not anything for us to boast or brag about, but as verse 7 states..."we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God"...

May your words and deeds reflect your Father in heaven. If you are reading this and looking for the answers to your problems and need to know Him, please let me know. There is no time like right now... Have a blessed day!

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Be transformed...

Romans 12:1 & 2..." I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.(2) And be not conformed tothis world: but be ye transformed by the renewng of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

In my reading this morning, I came across this familiar passage. Many times we get stuck in the rut of "me first" thinking. But, when we think God first, we open ourselves to an inner trasformation.

This is not just an idea to think about, and get back to Him about, but is rather our "reasonable service". If you think about it, it's the least we can do!

We are also compelled to be separate from the world, that we may prove the will of God. If we are doing the same as everyone else, where is our witness? Also, if we are a part of the world's ideals, how would we discern the will of God anyway?

Think on these things today...may your life be a shining light of God's will to others around you!!!

Labourers needed...

I have been spending my evenings before bed reading the new book by Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase. Some of you know how hard it is for me to sit and read anything, but this book has been a pleasure to read. If you want to read a book that will challenge you spiritually and make you think about your relationship with the Lord, pick this one up. Okay, that said, it's time to share a few thoughts for the day...


I was doing my reading this morning and was touched by how Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw the multitudes. He saw an opportunity, not a waste of His time. Too many times, we get busy with our daily schedules and can't find the time to look around and see who we pass that needs a helping hand.

Look at Matthew 9:35-38..."And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease among the people.(36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.(37) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;(38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth the labourers into his harvest."

Like I stated earlier, we get too caught up in what WE are doing to notice what HE has set before us. Many times this week this has been pointed out to me. I was watching a video from the NOOMA series by Rob Bell the other evening entitled, Noise. The whole concept was that with all the noise and commotion we are surrounded by everyday, is it any wonder we can't hear what God is saying to us? Also in Wild Goose Chase last evening I was hit by a research done on seminary students who were studying on the Good Samaritan story and had to give a speech about it. I won't give away the whole story, but when we want to minister, we need to slow down and look for the opportunities.

This is too true sometimes...we're too busy in our "ministries" to do the "ministering". Thanks for the line, Mark. Notice it says our ministries. We get too wrapped up in what we're doing for the kingdom to stop and let HIM do the work through us.

We have several events coming up this fall at our church and I pray that we can keep things in perspective. If we get too caught up in the work aspect, we could miss out on the ministry of the events. May you get a chance to slow down and turn the radio or TV off and get a chance to hear what God has to say to you today. God Bless!!!

Think on these...

This morning, I was reading through chapter 4 of Philippians when I came to verse 8..."Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely , whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This passage brings to mind that in our Christian walk, not only is our outward testimony important, but also the things we take in and think on. Basically, it goes back to the saying, "garbage in, garbage out".

It's not enough to make a good appearance if the heart is not in it. The first part of Proverbs 23:7 puts it rather plainly..."For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he"...

There is nothing hidden from God and our very thoughts can cause us to fall. May you think on the good things God has created for you today. Yes, I said for you...when He created the earth, you were on His mind. Take a moment to grasp the love He has for you and walk in that love today!!!

Come boldly...

Hebrews 4:15 & 16..."For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

This is a note of hope for all of us. When we have sin in our lives, God is not off fighting for someone else with His back turned to you. He is our All in All. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He can do all things for everyone at once. He is ever merciful and gives us the necessary grace to make it through the battles we face.

There is line from a song that says "If He carried the weight of the world on His shoulders, I know, my brother that He will carry you"...There is no problem that He can't solve. No disease He can't cure. No battle He can't win. Read the end of the Bible...I think you know who wins!!!

With our faith in a God so powerful and wanting to help in times of need, we must COME BOLDLY, not timidly. Remember, in Matthew 21:22, Jesus said "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." The key element of this verse is BELIEVING. When we ask in faith, all things are possible.

I would like to leave you with one final passage. It comes from Matthew 11:28-30..."Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

So, next time you have a trial or a tribulation you are facing, come before the throne boldly and lay cast all your cares upon the One who can carry them. He wants to give you rest and peace in a world that knows nothing of either...