A Pastor with GUTS!
Thought you might enjoy this interesting
prayer given in Kansas at
the opening session of their Senate. It seems
prayer still upsets some
people.. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open
the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was
expecting the usual generalities, but this is
what they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it
the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it
welfare...
We have killed our unborn and called it
choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it
justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our
children and called it building self esteem....
We have abused power and called it
politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values
of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Real Relationship with God
A Real Relationship with God
by Joyce Meyer
When you think of religion, what comes to your mind—a set of rules, regulations and obligations or a deep, intimate relationship with God?
I like to consider myself someone who has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I believe He died so we could have a living, vital relationship with God, not just a bunch of rules and regulations we're forced to follow.
Yes, there are certain guidelines God wants us to follow, but His purpose in giving them is to protect us from the consequences of sin.
When we have a real relationship with God through Christ, life gets exciting because He stirs up a passion inside us to love people—and we don't have to struggle to do the things He calls us to do. It just happens naturally.
God Is Not Mad at You
If there's one thing people need to hear over and over again, it's this: God loves you. That's all there is to it. He may not like everything you do, but He's never going to stop loving you.
God is not impressed with your works at all. What He cares about is your heart.
I believe the greatest thing God wants to hear from us is, "I love You, Lord. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I want to do what's right. Keep teaching me."
Many of us don't pray and ask God for what we need because we don't think we have a right to ask. But the Bible says God wants us to learn how to receive His mercy.
Hebrews 4:15 says we have a High Priest, a perfect Savior, who understands our weaknesses. He's been tempted just like we are, yet He never sinned.
Verse 16 says we can come fearlessly and confidently before God in prayer to receive His mercy and be forgiven.
New Creature, New Features
"Legally" you become a Christian when you make the decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. And after you receive Him, God begins to change you into a brand-new creation.
We shouldn't be making up religious rules to live by, like having to read our Bible every single day; nor should we do whatever we want to because we know we're going to heaven when we die.
Christianity is about living a vibrant, exciting life in Christ, and it goes hand in hand with developing a personal relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to be in love with Him.
Know What Really Matters
I was thinking one day about how judgmental I used to be about the way some people dressed. Not long ago, I might have thought that I couldn't wear jeans and teach, but my son said to me, "Do you really think that God anoints polyester more than denim?"
It took some things like that to shock me into the realization that I was just holding on to a religious attitude, when God wanted us to freshen up our look in order to reach more people.
Sure, it's good to dress nicely when we go to church. But the bottom line is, we shouldn't be so focused on our outward appearance that we lose sight of our main goal: developing a close, personal relationship with God.
Living Your Life with God
God wants to be involved in everything we do. He wants us to fellowship with Him, which means communicating with Him throughout our day just like we do with someone who's our close friend or family member.
Knowing God loves us, loving Him, spending time with Him, and being grateful for what He's done and is doing in our lives can help us have a real relationship with Him.
by Joyce Meyer
When you think of religion, what comes to your mind—a set of rules, regulations and obligations or a deep, intimate relationship with God?
I like to consider myself someone who has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I believe He died so we could have a living, vital relationship with God, not just a bunch of rules and regulations we're forced to follow.
Yes, there are certain guidelines God wants us to follow, but His purpose in giving them is to protect us from the consequences of sin.
When we have a real relationship with God through Christ, life gets exciting because He stirs up a passion inside us to love people—and we don't have to struggle to do the things He calls us to do. It just happens naturally.
God Is Not Mad at You
If there's one thing people need to hear over and over again, it's this: God loves you. That's all there is to it. He may not like everything you do, but He's never going to stop loving you.
God is not impressed with your works at all. What He cares about is your heart.
I believe the greatest thing God wants to hear from us is, "I love You, Lord. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I want to do what's right. Keep teaching me."
Many of us don't pray and ask God for what we need because we don't think we have a right to ask. But the Bible says God wants us to learn how to receive His mercy.
Hebrews 4:15 says we have a High Priest, a perfect Savior, who understands our weaknesses. He's been tempted just like we are, yet He never sinned.
Verse 16 says we can come fearlessly and confidently before God in prayer to receive His mercy and be forgiven.
New Creature, New Features
"Legally" you become a Christian when you make the decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. And after you receive Him, God begins to change you into a brand-new creation.
We shouldn't be making up religious rules to live by, like having to read our Bible every single day; nor should we do whatever we want to because we know we're going to heaven when we die.
Christianity is about living a vibrant, exciting life in Christ, and it goes hand in hand with developing a personal relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to be in love with Him.
Know What Really Matters
I was thinking one day about how judgmental I used to be about the way some people dressed. Not long ago, I might have thought that I couldn't wear jeans and teach, but my son said to me, "Do you really think that God anoints polyester more than denim?"
It took some things like that to shock me into the realization that I was just holding on to a religious attitude, when God wanted us to freshen up our look in order to reach more people.
Sure, it's good to dress nicely when we go to church. But the bottom line is, we shouldn't be so focused on our outward appearance that we lose sight of our main goal: developing a close, personal relationship with God.
Living Your Life with God
God wants to be involved in everything we do. He wants us to fellowship with Him, which means communicating with Him throughout our day just like we do with someone who's our close friend or family member.
Knowing God loves us, loving Him, spending time with Him, and being grateful for what He's done and is doing in our lives can help us have a real relationship with Him.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
How to get comfortable with God
How to Get Comfortable with God
By Joyce Meyer
Do you know how much God loves you?
God proved His love for us through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. But, for some reason, it's hard to carry on a conversation with Him. We can be so distant.
I bet God really gets a kick out of how some of us talk to Him. We can be so serious and formal. "Oh, Lord Most Higheth! Howeth my heart doth longest for Thee!"
We need to get comfortable with God. I don’t mean disrespectful, but we should know that He loves us and that we don't have to be afraid of Him.
The Importance of Spending Time with God
First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He's given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it!
You can have a joyful, fulfilling life by living in close, personal relationship with God. But in order to get there, you have to spend time with Him. God doesn't want to just be the button we push when we have an emergency.
Whether we know it or not, without God, we are always in an emergency. Without Him operating in our lives, helping and protecting us, there isn't one of us who knows one iota about anything we're doing!
Unlimited Time, Unlimited Blessings
You and I can spend as much time as we want with God. We have an open invitation to invite the Creator of the universe into our life each day. We get to speak to Him personally and read the book of instruction that holds the answers to everything in life.
The devil doesn't like that. That's why he works so hard to tell us that God doesn't want to be around us if we're not perfect. I've got a news flash: We aren't ever going to be perfect. That's why Jesus went to the cross for us!
We can go to our heavenly Father as often as we like and He will never get tired of us coming. The Bible says we can come boldly before God fellowship with Him, and have our needs met.
James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God the Father longs to fellowship with you. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, God made His home in you. So kick up your feet, get cozy and enjoy the company.
By Joyce Meyer
Do you know how much God loves you?
God proved His love for us through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. But, for some reason, it's hard to carry on a conversation with Him. We can be so distant.
I bet God really gets a kick out of how some of us talk to Him. We can be so serious and formal. "Oh, Lord Most Higheth! Howeth my heart doth longest for Thee!"
We need to get comfortable with God. I don’t mean disrespectful, but we should know that He loves us and that we don't have to be afraid of Him.
The Importance of Spending Time with God
First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He's given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it!
You can have a joyful, fulfilling life by living in close, personal relationship with God. But in order to get there, you have to spend time with Him. God doesn't want to just be the button we push when we have an emergency.
Whether we know it or not, without God, we are always in an emergency. Without Him operating in our lives, helping and protecting us, there isn't one of us who knows one iota about anything we're doing!
Unlimited Time, Unlimited Blessings
You and I can spend as much time as we want with God. We have an open invitation to invite the Creator of the universe into our life each day. We get to speak to Him personally and read the book of instruction that holds the answers to everything in life.
The devil doesn't like that. That's why he works so hard to tell us that God doesn't want to be around us if we're not perfect. I've got a news flash: We aren't ever going to be perfect. That's why Jesus went to the cross for us!
We can go to our heavenly Father as often as we like and He will never get tired of us coming. The Bible says we can come boldly before God fellowship with Him, and have our needs met.
James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God the Father longs to fellowship with you. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, God made His home in you. So kick up your feet, get cozy and enjoy the company.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Overcoming When You Are Overwhelmed!
Overcoming When You Are Overwhelmed!
You have more to reach out for than hold onto
Background:
David had sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite killed. At a time when Kings go to war, He should have been at the frontlines of the battle where he had sent all Israel out to war. In 2 Samuel 11:1, it records that at the time when the Kings go to war, David stayed home and left his men to fight the battle without him. When King David did not go where he was supposed to go, he ended up going where he should not have gone, and seeing what he should not have seen, and doing what he should not have done. David repented, and God responded saying that he was not going to die because of his sin, but the child who was conceived in sin would perish.
Psalm 61 records David’s heartrending plea to God in the middle of his greatest tragedy; but by the time David ends this Psalm, his tearful prayer has become a thankful praise.
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
Overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of your
wings. Selah.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of
those that fear your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto your name for ever, that I may daily perform my
vows.
What did King David do that took him from the ends of the earth to the shelter of God’s wings – from crying out in desperation – to praising the Lord in triumphant victory? The answer – and the keys to help you overcome when you’re overwhelmed by the cares of life can be found in 2 Samuel 12:15-24.
Eight Decisions of An Overcomer
I.
Rise from the Earth (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. The question is not “Have you messed up – but will you get up?
B. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
C. When David realized his child was dead, he had a decision to
make (free will)
1. Sit there depressed, distraught, discouraged or
2. Decide to overcome though he’s overwhelmed
D. Laying on the earth the proper posture for repentance
1.
Never allow your con-dition determine po-sition
2.
Your Righteousness Comes from God
3.
Rise Above Flesh and Condemnation
II. Wash Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Only the Word of God can separate you from your mess.
1. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in truth, your Word is truth.”
2. We are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of the water
of the Word (Eph. 5:26).
III. Anoint Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Receive “The Oil of Joy” in place of mourning
1. The Result:
a) “Shining of Cheerful Anticipation”
b) Atmosphere of Expectancy
IV. Change Your Apparel (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Put on “The Garments of Praise” instead of heaviness
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
B.
Exchange – do not just put the Garments of Praise over the spirit
of heaviness; an exchange must take place. Take off the
heaviness and put on Praise.
C.
Get Over It
1.
To overcome being overwhelmed we must get over it.
2.
We must offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15)
V. Come to – Not Run from – The House of the Lord (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. What’s in the House of the Lord?
1. Safety
2. Healing
3. Restoration
4. Freedom
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Hope
8. Forgiveness
VI. Begin to Worship (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Different than Praise (what God has done) – Anyone can praise
B. Worship (for who God is) – has to do with intimacy and humility
C. It is the place where He knows you and you know you.
VII. Refuse to Rehearse the Past (2 Samuel 12: 21)
A. “Rehearsals” are used to perfect a repeat performance
B. Remember: Whatever you rehearse you repeat and perfect
C. God wants to change your future – not just prolong your present.
VIII. Great Wisdom Can Come from Your Greatest Mistake
(2 Samuel 12: 24)
A. The Process
1. Worship produces Intimacy – Intimacy results in
reproduction.
2. David comforted Bathsheba and she bore Solomon, the
wisest man who ever lived.
B. When the promise in front of you gets bigger than the pain behind
you, you are ready to give birth again.
C. Psalm 61:2: When you are overwhelmed there is a rock higher
than you, and you can overcome being overwhelmed!
You have more to reach out for than hold onto
Background:
David had sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite killed. At a time when Kings go to war, He should have been at the frontlines of the battle where he had sent all Israel out to war. In 2 Samuel 11:1, it records that at the time when the Kings go to war, David stayed home and left his men to fight the battle without him. When King David did not go where he was supposed to go, he ended up going where he should not have gone, and seeing what he should not have seen, and doing what he should not have done. David repented, and God responded saying that he was not going to die because of his sin, but the child who was conceived in sin would perish.
Psalm 61 records David’s heartrending plea to God in the middle of his greatest tragedy; but by the time David ends this Psalm, his tearful prayer has become a thankful praise.
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
Overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of your
wings. Selah.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of
those that fear your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto your name for ever, that I may daily perform my
vows.
What did King David do that took him from the ends of the earth to the shelter of God’s wings – from crying out in desperation – to praising the Lord in triumphant victory? The answer – and the keys to help you overcome when you’re overwhelmed by the cares of life can be found in 2 Samuel 12:15-24.
Eight Decisions of An Overcomer
I.
Rise from the Earth (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. The question is not “Have you messed up – but will you get up?
B. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
C. When David realized his child was dead, he had a decision to
make (free will)
1. Sit there depressed, distraught, discouraged or
2. Decide to overcome though he’s overwhelmed
D. Laying on the earth the proper posture for repentance
1.
Never allow your con-dition determine po-sition
2.
Your Righteousness Comes from God
3.
Rise Above Flesh and Condemnation
II. Wash Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Only the Word of God can separate you from your mess.
1. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in truth, your Word is truth.”
2. We are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of the water
of the Word (Eph. 5:26).
III. Anoint Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Receive “The Oil of Joy” in place of mourning
1. The Result:
a) “Shining of Cheerful Anticipation”
b) Atmosphere of Expectancy
IV. Change Your Apparel (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Put on “The Garments of Praise” instead of heaviness
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
B.
Exchange – do not just put the Garments of Praise over the spirit
of heaviness; an exchange must take place. Take off the
heaviness and put on Praise.
C.
Get Over It
1.
To overcome being overwhelmed we must get over it.
2.
We must offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15)
V. Come to – Not Run from – The House of the Lord (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. What’s in the House of the Lord?
1. Safety
2. Healing
3. Restoration
4. Freedom
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Hope
8. Forgiveness
VI. Begin to Worship (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Different than Praise (what God has done) – Anyone can praise
B. Worship (for who God is) – has to do with intimacy and humility
C. It is the place where He knows you and you know you.
VII. Refuse to Rehearse the Past (2 Samuel 12: 21)
A. “Rehearsals” are used to perfect a repeat performance
B. Remember: Whatever you rehearse you repeat and perfect
C. God wants to change your future – not just prolong your present.
VIII. Great Wisdom Can Come from Your Greatest Mistake
(2 Samuel 12: 24)
A. The Process
1. Worship produces Intimacy – Intimacy results in
reproduction.
2. David comforted Bathsheba and she bore Solomon, the
wisest man who ever lived.
B. When the promise in front of you gets bigger than the pain behind
you, you are ready to give birth again.
C. Psalm 61:2: When you are overwhelmed there is a rock higher
than you, and you can overcome being overwhelmed!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What Is Biblical Theology for the Church Member?
To practice biblical theology is to know God himself. I'm using the term "biblical theology" with two things in mind. First, we must keep in mind that the Bible is the self-revelation of God; it is the source material for developing great thoughts about God. The Christian who is interested in knowing his God is the Christian who wants to know what God says about himself in the Bible. Such a Christian will not begin sentences with "I like to think of God as. . ." They have learned not to blend together a little New Age or a little Hinduism with a little Christianity in order to yield a custom-fitted deity for their self. No, the Christian church member who is serious about knowing God is the member who is committed to what the Bible says about God, because the Bible is where God tells us about himself.
To practice biblical theology is to know God's macro story of redemption. Second, the biblical theologian is a person committed to understanding the history of revelation, the grand themes and doctrines of the Bible, and how they fit together. In other words, healthy church members give themselves to understanding the unity and progression of the Bible as whole — not just isolated or favorite passages. They approach the Bible knowing that they are reading one awesome story of God redeeming for himself a people for his own glory. And in that story, they see that God is a creating God, a holy God, a faithful God, a loving God, and a sovereign God as he makes and keeps his promises to his people, beginning with Adam and Eve and progressing to the final consummation of all things.
To practice biblical theology is to know God's macro story of redemption. Second, the biblical theologian is a person committed to understanding the history of revelation, the grand themes and doctrines of the Bible, and how they fit together. In other words, healthy church members give themselves to understanding the unity and progression of the Bible as whole — not just isolated or favorite passages. They approach the Bible knowing that they are reading one awesome story of God redeeming for himself a people for his own glory. And in that story, they see that God is a creating God, a holy God, a faithful God, a loving God, and a sovereign God as he makes and keeps his promises to his people, beginning with Adam and Eve and progressing to the final consummation of all things.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian
A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian
"Ignorance of God—ignorance both of His ways and of the practice of communion with Him—lies at the root of the church's weakness today." That's how J. I. Packer began the 1973 preface to his classic volume Knowing God. Packer reasoned that one trend producing such ignorance of God and weakness in the church was "that Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God."
Sadly, Packer's observation rings true more than three decades later. Ignorance of the ways of God and of communion with him is rampant in too many instances. Members of Christian churches continue to think small thoughts of God and great thoughts of man. This state of affairs reveals that too many Christians have neglected their first great calling: to know their God. Every Christian is meant to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word. If churches are to prosper in health, church members must be committed to being biblical theologians in whatever capacity they can. This is the second mark of a healthy church member.
"Ignorance of God—ignorance both of His ways and of the practice of communion with Him—lies at the root of the church's weakness today." That's how J. I. Packer began the 1973 preface to his classic volume Knowing God. Packer reasoned that one trend producing such ignorance of God and weakness in the church was "that Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God."
Sadly, Packer's observation rings true more than three decades later. Ignorance of the ways of God and of communion with him is rampant in too many instances. Members of Christian churches continue to think small thoughts of God and great thoughts of man. This state of affairs reveals that too many Christians have neglected their first great calling: to know their God. Every Christian is meant to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word. If churches are to prosper in health, church members must be committed to being biblical theologians in whatever capacity they can. This is the second mark of a healthy church member.
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