Friday, January 23, 2009

A question for you to respond to...

A friend of mine on Facebook was asking a question today, and I wanted to put it on here to see what kind of feedback would be received. Leave your answers as feedback, if you don't mind.

Here was her question...Why is religion such a powerful tool in creating and/or encouraging both harmony and hatred?

Thanks for making us think, Angie!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A historic day...

As I look back at the events that have come to pass, I wanted to give each of you a place to share your thoughts and hopes for the next 4 or possibly 8 years. We have just seen our first minority elected President of the United States. This is a day filled with pride for some, anguish for some, and some who just look at it as another day.

This is a bittersweet day for me...I am proud that our country can see beyond the boundaries of race when choosing a new leader. I may not particularly agree with the decision, but I know the One who is in control. May we be reminded of that daily!

During our January Bible Study of Exodus last night, we were brought to a great scripture that touches this well. It is in Exodus 9:16..."And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

As Bro. Elmer Whitehead shared last night, we shouldn't concern ourselves with the "why's" but rather remember that God causes things to happen in the world "that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

For that reason, I have chosen this verse for the memorization challenge of the week. When we struggle with issues and challenges in our lives, let's rely upon the Lord, Whose name shall be declared throughout all the earth!!!

Take a few moments to read over the verse again...pray that what you're going through will be used for His glory...and ask for the chance to share your trials, tribulations, and triumphs with others for the glory of the Lord!!!

Please take a couple minutes to leave your thoughts on the days events and, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Do you have a "Crazy Love" for God???

My wife and I have been reading through this book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan over the past week. I have been challenged and also feel led to share this video. If you haven't picked up the book, you can find even more info here...there are chapter introduction videos and countless other goodies to check out. Here is the introduction video from the book.



Let me know if you have read the book and what it meant to you...once we complete the book, I will be posting a review here, so check back for that...

But before I let you go, let's take one last look at our memory verse for the week from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I hope that it has spoken to you as it has me. Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Dive Deep!!!

I saw this video and thought it was a great illustration of our Bible studies. Our memory verse this week comes from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."



Let's not be afraid to "dive in deep" and learn what God has for us!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Studying to be approved...

As I start back into my collegiate studies, I have been thinking about how we are to learn not only to gain knowledge to be used to further our own personal goals, but also to be a better steward of what God has given us. That leads me to our memory verse for this week, found in 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

This week, in my Theology studies I've been reading about analyzing the Scriptures and their context to make the best broad statements (theologies) about my beliefs. When I look at the Amplified Bible's translation of this verse, it reminds me of that..."Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."

So, for me to "put my best foot forward" in my walk with the Lord, shouldn't I be spending time learning what God is trying to teach me? If my time with God is there, my life will show it! The other point is that I must work at it...not try, not read and be done, but diligently work at it. It says a "workman that needeth not to be ashamed"...so, I must put forth the effort to learn. Sounds like school a bit, right?

Growing up, school was somewhat easy for me...I put forth very little effort and ended up with A's and B's. College is a bit more difficult. However, if I spend the time doing what is asked (read, listen, take notes) which does take some of "my" time, The results are grades that show it. If I am willing to put forth that type of effort for a degree, shouldn't my Bible study and prayer time have an even greater place? Shouldn't I be taking notes and learning the Scriptures, so that I need "not to be ashamed"?

The beginning of the verse says I should be "eager" and "doing my utmost"...am I eager to spend time reading, praying, studying, doing the work??? I would like to say "yes", but I can't always...

My final thought on this is if I am basing my life and walk with God on just the parts of the Bible that I like, wouldn't I be missing out on a lot. I must study the Bible completely, so I can truly understand, live, and be able to help others accurately or skillfully as the Amplified states.

Keep going over the verse for the week from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Pray that God will touch your heart with it's words...Don't stop there, let's truly push ourselves to study and work at it!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!