I love receiving things that encourage as well as challenge me to be greater. Tim Holt forwarded this list of things to do everyday, to me. It's great, thanks Tim!!!! It is packed with great reminders of how we need to live our lives. The list strikes me in this way; I have so much to do that I don't have time to worry or fret or gossip or complain or waste. If you are trying to reach me, I will be busy working on my list. :):) Let's all use each day as the gift from God it is. God calls it the present because it is His gift. Be Blessed.
42 THINGS TO DO EACH DAY:
1. When you wake up in the morning, always start your day with a prayer/vision.
2. And then, complete the following statement, My purpose is to__________ today.
3. Take a 10 to 30-minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
4. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
5. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
6. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.Eat blueberries,salad, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, etc.
7. Make at least three people smile each day.
8. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot
control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present.
9. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone, so give the best of your kindness.
11. Take yourself seriously.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others either.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. So, be happy.
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
19. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years, will it matter?
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and
fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will
last a lifetime.
20. Forgive everyone for everything.
21. Read more books and watch less TV than you did last year.
22. What other people think of you is none of your business.
23. God has everything you'll every need in life so hook up with Him.
24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation; don't bring up the past.
26. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
27. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.
30. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
31. Each day give something good to others.
32. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
33. Sleep for 7 hours every day or whatever your body needs.
34. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.
35. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
36. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes ok.
37. Do the right thing!
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for__________
Today I accomplished_________
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Trust in God, but lock your car.
41. Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death, but heaven.
42. Know that GOD heals everything.
Psalm 18:1-3
(1)will love You, O LORD, my strength.
(2) The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(3) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
(NKJV)
Have a Blessed Day,
Pastor Kevin
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
THE SCALE
I ran across this article (David Arnold)and thought it was challenging for all of us. God's boundaries serve to help us spiritually. God Bless you today and remember, Pass the Test.
The Los Angeles Times ran an article about widespread petty theft. In it, an attorney admitted that he would wait for someone to purchase a newspaper from a vending machine and grab the door before it closed to get his paper without paying. He could afford the paper, so why would he do such a thing? He explained, “The newspaper makes so much money, taking one paper won’t matter.”
Solomon wrote, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,” Proverbs 11:1. “Dishonest scales” is literally “balances of deceit,” and the word “abomination” implies an extraordinary degree of hatred and detestation. Charles Spurgeon told his church, “It is never to do a little wrong, to obtain the greatest possible good. Your duty is to do the right: consequences are with God; and after all it never can be, in the long run, a good thing either for you or for others to do wrong.”
Here are some dishonest practices condemned by the Bible. Using short weights and measures - Deuteronomy 25:13 – 15; Leviticus 19:35, 36. Cheating a seller – Proverbs 20:14. Refusing to pay wages – Jeremiah 22:13; Leviticus 19:13. Shifting landmarks – Job 24:2. Defrauding –Leviticus 6:2; 19:13. Borrowing without repaying – Psalm 37:21. Keith Miller spoke a word of concern when he stated, “It has never ceased to amaze me that we Christians have developed a kind of selective vision which allows us to be deeply and sincerely involved in worship and church activities, and yet almost totally pagan in the day in, day out guts of our business lives and never realize it.”
In Proverbs 20:23, we read that God “loathes all cheating and dishonesty” (TLB), and Paul wrote to Timothy about living a life of “honesty,” 1 Timothy 2:2. Madison Sarratt taught mathematics at Vanderbilt University for many years. Before giving a test, he would admonish his students, “Today I am giving two examinations – one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. If you must fail one, fail trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trigonometry, but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass the examination of honesty.”
“No legacy is so rich as honesty” (William Shakespeare Emerson).
Pastor Kevin
The Los Angeles Times ran an article about widespread petty theft. In it, an attorney admitted that he would wait for someone to purchase a newspaper from a vending machine and grab the door before it closed to get his paper without paying. He could afford the paper, so why would he do such a thing? He explained, “The newspaper makes so much money, taking one paper won’t matter.”
Solomon wrote, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,” Proverbs 11:1. “Dishonest scales” is literally “balances of deceit,” and the word “abomination” implies an extraordinary degree of hatred and detestation. Charles Spurgeon told his church, “It is never to do a little wrong, to obtain the greatest possible good. Your duty is to do the right: consequences are with God; and after all it never can be, in the long run, a good thing either for you or for others to do wrong.”
Here are some dishonest practices condemned by the Bible. Using short weights and measures - Deuteronomy 25:13 – 15; Leviticus 19:35, 36. Cheating a seller – Proverbs 20:14. Refusing to pay wages – Jeremiah 22:13; Leviticus 19:13. Shifting landmarks – Job 24:2. Defrauding –Leviticus 6:2; 19:13. Borrowing without repaying – Psalm 37:21. Keith Miller spoke a word of concern when he stated, “It has never ceased to amaze me that we Christians have developed a kind of selective vision which allows us to be deeply and sincerely involved in worship and church activities, and yet almost totally pagan in the day in, day out guts of our business lives and never realize it.”
In Proverbs 20:23, we read that God “loathes all cheating and dishonesty” (TLB), and Paul wrote to Timothy about living a life of “honesty,” 1 Timothy 2:2. Madison Sarratt taught mathematics at Vanderbilt University for many years. Before giving a test, he would admonish his students, “Today I am giving two examinations – one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. If you must fail one, fail trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trigonometry, but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass the examination of honesty.”
“No legacy is so rich as honesty” (William Shakespeare Emerson).
Pastor Kevin
Friday, August 29, 2008
DON'T HOLD ON TO THE PAST
The Bible talks in great detail about dreams. When I think about dreams, Joseph immediately comes to my mind. God gave him a dream that changed the course of his families as well as the nation of Israel's destiny. It brought great difficulties to him before it proved true but God really spoke through the dream.
I have really enjoyed having people in our church that are trained to interpret dreams. It is amazing the doors of ministry it has opened for the church to reach out into the community as well as meet need among our own congregation. What I have discovered is, God is really speaking to us through dreams.
While I don't claim to be one who has completed the course on dream interpretation, I do believe God gave me insight to a dream I had recently and its application. I have shared it with the congregation and now want to post it here on the blog site.
I saw 3 white cars in a beautiful parking lot. All 3 cars were in great shape but one was an older body style, one was current and the final one looked futuristic. All of a sudden there was a mass of people, that I only saw from the back, running to get into the cars. The cars cranked and got ready to move. Suddenly, the older one blew up and steam and liquid spewed from under the hood. The other two cars left the parking lot while the one was stranded. The people riding in that car got out and I saw several things. Some were upset and yelling while others were in pain.
The Lord spoke to me several days later about it's meaning. I have been diligently praying daily for increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God revealed to me that this was a word of wisdom given to me in a night vision for our church body.
God said that anyone holding onto past things as the way to move forward would find themselves; burned, frustrated and stranded. I can think of many things in the natural to use as examples or illustrations but the Lord said that was all I needed to say.
I find often times that I get myself stuck dwelling on yesterday's provision. I need to cling to God's provision for today only. This has re energized my prayer life. I want to be found seeking God on a daily basis so God can keep me moving forward. I do want to remind myself of God's past faithfulness but at the same time, seek him for new provision today.
I am discovering that His mercies really are new everyday. Designed specifically for what today brings.
I encourage us to have a new experience with our Heavenly Father today. It will propel us forward.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Kevin
I have really enjoyed having people in our church that are trained to interpret dreams. It is amazing the doors of ministry it has opened for the church to reach out into the community as well as meet need among our own congregation. What I have discovered is, God is really speaking to us through dreams.
While I don't claim to be one who has completed the course on dream interpretation, I do believe God gave me insight to a dream I had recently and its application. I have shared it with the congregation and now want to post it here on the blog site.
I saw 3 white cars in a beautiful parking lot. All 3 cars were in great shape but one was an older body style, one was current and the final one looked futuristic. All of a sudden there was a mass of people, that I only saw from the back, running to get into the cars. The cars cranked and got ready to move. Suddenly, the older one blew up and steam and liquid spewed from under the hood. The other two cars left the parking lot while the one was stranded. The people riding in that car got out and I saw several things. Some were upset and yelling while others were in pain.
The Lord spoke to me several days later about it's meaning. I have been diligently praying daily for increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God revealed to me that this was a word of wisdom given to me in a night vision for our church body.
God said that anyone holding onto past things as the way to move forward would find themselves; burned, frustrated and stranded. I can think of many things in the natural to use as examples or illustrations but the Lord said that was all I needed to say.
I find often times that I get myself stuck dwelling on yesterday's provision. I need to cling to God's provision for today only. This has re energized my prayer life. I want to be found seeking God on a daily basis so God can keep me moving forward. I do want to remind myself of God's past faithfulness but at the same time, seek him for new provision today.
I am discovering that His mercies really are new everyday. Designed specifically for what today brings.
I encourage us to have a new experience with our Heavenly Father today. It will propel us forward.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Kevin
Thursday, August 28, 2008
KNOW HIS WILL
The question of knowing what God wants me to do is a big one in the life of the christian. I think all of us feel like if we knew what God wanted us to do, then we would be at peace and able to do our best. When we have a big question mark, I believe we pull back and get timid. God's word has an answer for discovering His will. Caution before you read this, you may not like it. Just wanted to give a little disclaimer before offering the scripture. God says...
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2)
We find in Romans 12:1–2 what we call a conditional promise. The promise is that you can know what the perfect will of God is for your life. The conditions are that you must present yourself to God and that you must not be conformed to this world.
Notice the order. First, you offer yourself as a living sacrifice, and then you will know the will of God. A living sacrifice!!!! Kind of sounds to me like an operation while you are awake without any medecine. In other words, not a whole lot of fun. We tend to want to know God’s will first and then decide whether we want to give ourselves to it.
It reminds me dinner time around our house. Kelly will ask him the girls “Are you hungry?”
Often the response is, “What are you cooking?” If it is vegetables, then they are not hungry at that particular moment. But if it is ice cream, then they are ready to eat.
In the same way, we will sometimes say, “Lord, what is your will? Before God reveals his will to us, He is looking for a surrendered heart. The revelation of purpose and vision will not be revealed until there is total surrender. The question is, are we going to do what He says? The part that makes this so challenging is that God sees the intentions and desires of our heart. He knows where our sincerity level is at all times. It has been said that the condition of an enlightened mind is a surrendered heart. I agree with the statement and God.
If you want to know the will of God, then you must have a heart that is surrendered. Present yourself to Him. Then you will know the good, pleasing and acceptable will of God. This is a powerful and awesome exchange.
Remember, this Sunday, we finish the series: "You want me to do what?"
God Bless You,
Pastor Kevin
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2)
We find in Romans 12:1–2 what we call a conditional promise. The promise is that you can know what the perfect will of God is for your life. The conditions are that you must present yourself to God and that you must not be conformed to this world.
Notice the order. First, you offer yourself as a living sacrifice, and then you will know the will of God. A living sacrifice!!!! Kind of sounds to me like an operation while you are awake without any medecine. In other words, not a whole lot of fun. We tend to want to know God’s will first and then decide whether we want to give ourselves to it.
It reminds me dinner time around our house. Kelly will ask him the girls “Are you hungry?”
Often the response is, “What are you cooking?” If it is vegetables, then they are not hungry at that particular moment. But if it is ice cream, then they are ready to eat.
In the same way, we will sometimes say, “Lord, what is your will? Before God reveals his will to us, He is looking for a surrendered heart. The revelation of purpose and vision will not be revealed until there is total surrender. The question is, are we going to do what He says? The part that makes this so challenging is that God sees the intentions and desires of our heart. He knows where our sincerity level is at all times. It has been said that the condition of an enlightened mind is a surrendered heart. I agree with the statement and God.
If you want to know the will of God, then you must have a heart that is surrendered. Present yourself to Him. Then you will know the good, pleasing and acceptable will of God. This is a powerful and awesome exchange.
Remember, this Sunday, we finish the series: "You want me to do what?"
God Bless You,
Pastor Kevin
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Walking with Jesus
It is so difficult to know God in difficult circumstances. A man named Greg Laurie is a minister who just lost his college age student. He has been writing about God's grace to him and his family in the circumstance. I thought this was a powerful revelation from a man walking through a deep valley. Be blessed today and remember to tell the people you love that you love them. I hope you enjoy his word.
"After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country." (Mark 16:12)
I think it’s interesting to note those to whom Jesus chose to appear after His resurrection. We don’t read about Him appearing to Caiaphas or Caesar. Now if it had been me, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Or I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who, for the most part, orchestrated the crucifixion.
But it is interesting how Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey. We don’t know who they were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.
The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared in another form to them as they went into the country. In other words, He was going incognito. They didn’t know that it was Jesus. The last sight they had of the Lord was His beaten and bloodied body. Surely they wanted to get that image out of their minds. There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It’s a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don’t realize it, Jesus is walking with us.
Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Maybe when you are in church, you feel close to God. But wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there too. When you are going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.
Sunday, Part 2 of "you want me to do what?"
If schools are closed Wednesday, we will have no church that night.
Blessings,
Pastor Kevin
"After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country." (Mark 16:12)
I think it’s interesting to note those to whom Jesus chose to appear after His resurrection. We don’t read about Him appearing to Caiaphas or Caesar. Now if it had been me, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Or I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who, for the most part, orchestrated the crucifixion.
But it is interesting how Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey. We don’t know who they were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.
The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared in another form to them as they went into the country. In other words, He was going incognito. They didn’t know that it was Jesus. The last sight they had of the Lord was His beaten and bloodied body. Surely they wanted to get that image out of their minds. There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It’s a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don’t realize it, Jesus is walking with us.
Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Maybe when you are in church, you feel close to God. But wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there too. When you are going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.
Sunday, Part 2 of "you want me to do what?"
If schools are closed Wednesday, we will have no church that night.
Blessings,
Pastor Kevin
Monday, August 18, 2008
THE POWER OF THE CROSS
Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite devotional writers. I always find great encouragement in the word found in, "My utmost for His Highest". I found this thought on the work of the cross and though it would be a blessing to our church today. More than just something to put here or to have something to write, I believe that understanding the in depth and complete work of the cross is essential in the life of a believer. It is the difference in life and death. It's the difference in whether you will live in grace or under the law. I hope God enriches our lives today to walk in freedom and grace.
Chambers writes, "We trample the blood of the Son of God underfoot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the result of our personal realization of the atonement by the Cross of Christ, which He has provided for us. ". . . Christ Jesus . . . became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). Once we realize that Christ has become all this for us, the limitless joy of God begins in us. And wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is still in effect.
No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. God does this, not because Jesus pleads with Him to do so but because He died. It cannot be earned, just accepted. All the pleading for salvation which deliberately ignores the Cross of Christ is useless. It is knocking at a door other than the one which Jesus has already opened. We protest by saying, "But I don’t want to come that way. It is too humiliating to be received as a sinner." God’s response, through Peter, is, ". . . there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ). What at first appears to be heartlessness on God’s part is actually the true expression of His heart. There is unlimited entrance His way. "In Him we have redemption through His blood . . ." ( Ephesians 1:7 ). To identify with the death of Jesus Christ means that we must die to everything that was never a part of Him.
God is just in saving bad people only as He makes them good. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The atonement by the Cross of Christ is the propitiation God uses to make unholy people holy.
God Bless You today. Please remember to come the Sunday for part 2 of "You want me to do what?"
Also, remember that we will follow the Orange County public school decision for closure in determining our Wednwsday night services. We are believing for some needed rain only, to renew the land as this storm passes by the state of Florida.
Pastor Kevin
Chambers writes, "We trample the blood of the Son of God underfoot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the result of our personal realization of the atonement by the Cross of Christ, which He has provided for us. ". . . Christ Jesus . . . became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). Once we realize that Christ has become all this for us, the limitless joy of God begins in us. And wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is still in effect.
No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. God does this, not because Jesus pleads with Him to do so but because He died. It cannot be earned, just accepted. All the pleading for salvation which deliberately ignores the Cross of Christ is useless. It is knocking at a door other than the one which Jesus has already opened. We protest by saying, "But I don’t want to come that way. It is too humiliating to be received as a sinner." God’s response, through Peter, is, ". . . there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ). What at first appears to be heartlessness on God’s part is actually the true expression of His heart. There is unlimited entrance His way. "In Him we have redemption through His blood . . ." ( Ephesians 1:7 ). To identify with the death of Jesus Christ means that we must die to everything that was never a part of Him.
God is just in saving bad people only as He makes them good. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The atonement by the Cross of Christ is the propitiation God uses to make unholy people holy.
God Bless You today. Please remember to come the Sunday for part 2 of "You want me to do what?"
Also, remember that we will follow the Orange County public school decision for closure in determining our Wednwsday night services. We are believing for some needed rain only, to renew the land as this storm passes by the state of Florida.
Pastor Kevin
Thursday, August 14, 2008
GOD GETS THE GLORY
None of us enjoy suffering. I hate it personally and it sure makes us have to answer some hard questions about our faith. The really cool part is God is up to the challenge. It might all pass through His hands but know this; He is a loving and remarkable God. A few days ago we discovered that any kind of suffering makes us stronger. When the walls are strong, the city rejoices the bible declares.
Next, God can get glory through our suffering. Anyone can be at peace when the sun shines down from a blue and cloudless sky. But when those qualities shine out from the midst of a dark and destructive storm, that’s another matter entirely.
That, in essence, was the challenge Satan laid before God. “Job follows you because you have blessed him in every way, but if those things were taken away, it would be a different story. He would curse you.”
In order to show the falsehood of Satan’s argument—and to strengthen Job’s faith at the same time—God allowed these multiple tragedies to crash into Job’s life.
The result? Job not only refused to curse God, he actually blessed Him. What a rebuke to the enemy! What a witness to the world.
It is a powerful testimony when a believer can praise God while suffering. Remember the story of Paul and Silas, arrested for preaching the gospel in the city of Philippi? The Bible tells us that the jailer had them stripped and flogged. Then they were put in a dungeon, where their feet were fastened in stocks.
How did they respond? Here’s what the Bible says:
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 nkjv) That word “listened” could be translated as listened with great interest. Why? Because they had never heard anybody sing praises to God in such a place. And that’s about the time the Lord sent an earthquake: “At once the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:26-28 niv)
The jailer responded by saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” In effect, he was saying, “I’ve been watching you guys. I’ve seen how you have taken such terrible punishment without cursing. I’ve seen how you can worship in the worst circumstances, and how you could have escaped but didn’t. All I can say is, whatever you have, I want it.”
Your circumstances may not be as dire as those of Paul and Silas. But people are watching you. If you’re in the midst of a hardship or a difficulty, they’re watching to see if you will really practice what you preach, and live out what you proclaim. The way you handle suffering in your life can bring great glory to God.Paul the apostle also suffered from an unnamed “thorn in the flesh.” No one really knows what it was, but he spoke of it in his letter to the Corinthian church, and said that he had asked the Lord on three separate occasions to remove it. But God said no. Even though God had done miracles through Paul, bringing healing to others, He chose not to bring that healing in the life of His loyal servant in this particular situation. When Paul asked why, God gave him this answer: “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 nlt). Was Paul discouraged by this answer? It sure doesn’t sound like it! He goes on to say, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv. 9-10).
So God can be glorified through our weakness. His light and power can shine through the chips, cracks, and cracks in your life, drawing others to Himself.
To God Be the Glory!!!
Remember, Sunday we begin the series, “YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?
Bless You,
Pastor Kevin
Next, God can get glory through our suffering. Anyone can be at peace when the sun shines down from a blue and cloudless sky. But when those qualities shine out from the midst of a dark and destructive storm, that’s another matter entirely.
That, in essence, was the challenge Satan laid before God. “Job follows you because you have blessed him in every way, but if those things were taken away, it would be a different story. He would curse you.”
In order to show the falsehood of Satan’s argument—and to strengthen Job’s faith at the same time—God allowed these multiple tragedies to crash into Job’s life.
The result? Job not only refused to curse God, he actually blessed Him. What a rebuke to the enemy! What a witness to the world.
It is a powerful testimony when a believer can praise God while suffering. Remember the story of Paul and Silas, arrested for preaching the gospel in the city of Philippi? The Bible tells us that the jailer had them stripped and flogged. Then they were put in a dungeon, where their feet were fastened in stocks.
How did they respond? Here’s what the Bible says:
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 nkjv) That word “listened” could be translated as listened with great interest. Why? Because they had never heard anybody sing praises to God in such a place. And that’s about the time the Lord sent an earthquake: “At once the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:26-28 niv)
The jailer responded by saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” In effect, he was saying, “I’ve been watching you guys. I’ve seen how you have taken such terrible punishment without cursing. I’ve seen how you can worship in the worst circumstances, and how you could have escaped but didn’t. All I can say is, whatever you have, I want it.”
Your circumstances may not be as dire as those of Paul and Silas. But people are watching you. If you’re in the midst of a hardship or a difficulty, they’re watching to see if you will really practice what you preach, and live out what you proclaim. The way you handle suffering in your life can bring great glory to God.Paul the apostle also suffered from an unnamed “thorn in the flesh.” No one really knows what it was, but he spoke of it in his letter to the Corinthian church, and said that he had asked the Lord on three separate occasions to remove it. But God said no. Even though God had done miracles through Paul, bringing healing to others, He chose not to bring that healing in the life of His loyal servant in this particular situation. When Paul asked why, God gave him this answer: “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 nlt). Was Paul discouraged by this answer? It sure doesn’t sound like it! He goes on to say, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv. 9-10).
So God can be glorified through our weakness. His light and power can shine through the chips, cracks, and cracks in your life, drawing others to Himself.
To God Be the Glory!!!
Remember, Sunday we begin the series, “YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?
Bless You,
Pastor Kevin
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