Malachi 3:16-18 (NLT)
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. 17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and from this point it will be another 500 years before God speaks again to His people. But here in these verses we find a reassurance from God about the salvation to come. A scroll is prepared to remember those who reverently feared and honored God. Then God proclaims on the Day of Judgment these people will be His own special treasure. They will be spared as a father who would give his life for his child. God will do this to show the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who served Him and those who did not.
Mike Erre, in the December 7 entry of Men of Integrity dated November/December 2008 said, “My wife and I refinanced our house and cashed out what was (for us) a large sum of money. I spent several weeks dreaming of ways to spend it. It was near Christmas, and I had been studying the birth of Jesus and what it would have meant to those who heard about it first. As I was praying and prepping for the messages I would teach in the weeks of December, God brought into my mind that to take this whole "love thy neighbor" thing seriously, my wife and I should give away more money than we spend on ourselves this Christmas. (Although I didn't realize it at the time, God had placed the same message in my wife's heart.)” Mike said he and his wife had a wonderful time giving away the money and they celebrated what Paul called “a gift too wonderful for words!” God gives us opportunities to honor Him and show Him that we care for our fellow man. The couple above found their own blessings by giving money away to others in need. There are many people struggling today. Take the time to reach out to those you know are struggling and help in any manner possible. Whether it is to listen and give advice, or donate what you have, or offer money when appropriate to help someone in dire need. God remember s those who fear and honor Him and helping others is one way of bring honor to God. May God bless you for your generosity as you let your heart cheerfully give to those in need.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Giving to those in need
Acts 2:43-47 (NLT)
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. As a deep sense of awe came upon the people they sold their property and possessions and shared with those who were in need all the while praising God.
St. Basil the Great, a man of great charity once said, “There is your brother, naked and crying! And you stand confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.” In other words there is someone without anything crying out for help and you are confused whether to spend money on this item or spend money on that item instead of being charitable. Jesus once told his disciples, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Everyone who has been blessed with plenty should be alert to help those who are in need. They should be ready to reach out and help when possible and give freely out of the goodness of their heart. I am proud to say I work with many people who volunteer to give their time, collect goods for the needy, or send packages to the soldier fighting for our freedom. Be on the lookout to help those in need and even be willing to give up something you don’t need to help another.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. As a deep sense of awe came upon the people they sold their property and possessions and shared with those who were in need all the while praising God.
St. Basil the Great, a man of great charity once said, “There is your brother, naked and crying! And you stand confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.” In other words there is someone without anything crying out for help and you are confused whether to spend money on this item or spend money on that item instead of being charitable. Jesus once told his disciples, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Everyone who has been blessed with plenty should be alert to help those who are in need. They should be ready to reach out and help when possible and give freely out of the goodness of their heart. I am proud to say I work with many people who volunteer to give their time, collect goods for the needy, or send packages to the soldier fighting for our freedom. Be on the lookout to help those in need and even be willing to give up something you don’t need to help another.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Proverbs 27:2 (NLT)
Proverbs 27:2 (NLT)
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips.
This proverb tells us we should do good works that can be seen, but the good works should not be done for the purpose of being seen. When we commend ourselves it is evidence of pride, self-love, and can even lessen ones reputation. There are times in which we must vindicate or prove ourselves, but those times are not for self-applause.
A church organist was practicing a piece by Felix Mendelssohn. It was a difficult piece and very hard to play. Frustrated he was ready to leave when he noticed a stranger sitting on a rear pew. The stranger came forward and asked if he could play the piece, maybe as a means to help. Prideful the church organist replied “I never let anyone touch this organ!” After two more polite requests by the stranger the church organist reluctantly gave him permission. The stranger sat down and filled the sanctuary with a beautiful, flawless rendition of the musical piece. When the stranger finished the organist asked, “Who are you?” The man replied, “I am Felix Mendelssohn.” Because of pride the organist almost missed the opportunity to learn from the creator of the song. How often does pride keep us from learning from Our Creator? We tell ourselves may lies such as I can handle this on my own when clearly we need God’s assistance.
Sin will take you farther than you want to go, Cost you more than you want to pay, And keep you longer than you want to stay.
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips.
This proverb tells us we should do good works that can be seen, but the good works should not be done for the purpose of being seen. When we commend ourselves it is evidence of pride, self-love, and can even lessen ones reputation. There are times in which we must vindicate or prove ourselves, but those times are not for self-applause.
A church organist was practicing a piece by Felix Mendelssohn. It was a difficult piece and very hard to play. Frustrated he was ready to leave when he noticed a stranger sitting on a rear pew. The stranger came forward and asked if he could play the piece, maybe as a means to help. Prideful the church organist replied “I never let anyone touch this organ!” After two more polite requests by the stranger the church organist reluctantly gave him permission. The stranger sat down and filled the sanctuary with a beautiful, flawless rendition of the musical piece. When the stranger finished the organist asked, “Who are you?” The man replied, “I am Felix Mendelssohn.” Because of pride the organist almost missed the opportunity to learn from the creator of the song. How often does pride keep us from learning from Our Creator? We tell ourselves may lies such as I can handle this on my own when clearly we need God’s assistance.
Sin will take you farther than you want to go, Cost you more than you want to pay, And keep you longer than you want to stay.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Confidence in eternal life
Titus 3:3-7 (NLT)
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
The Apostle Paul writes Titus saying many had been misled by the law and had become slaves to sin. People in their attempt to be righteous would envy the good acts of others, while being full of evil. They became to hate each other instead loving each other as God commanded. So God out of love for us gave Jesus as our savior that we would be declared righteous because of belief in Him and not because of religious laws. It is our faith in Christ as Savior that gives us confidence in our eternal life with God.
Martin Luther wrote, “Christ is the kind of person who is not ashamed of sinners—in fact, he even puts them in his family tree! Now if the Lord does that here, so ought we to despise no one … but put ourselves right in the middle of the fight for sinners and help them.” As Christians we need to take in those wounded by sin and not leave them stranded on the battle field. We must never put our righteousness above others, but instead humble ourselves knowing Christ died for all. Through His death we are redeemed and have the hope of eternal life.
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
The Apostle Paul writes Titus saying many had been misled by the law and had become slaves to sin. People in their attempt to be righteous would envy the good acts of others, while being full of evil. They became to hate each other instead loving each other as God commanded. So God out of love for us gave Jesus as our savior that we would be declared righteous because of belief in Him and not because of religious laws. It is our faith in Christ as Savior that gives us confidence in our eternal life with God.
Martin Luther wrote, “Christ is the kind of person who is not ashamed of sinners—in fact, he even puts them in his family tree! Now if the Lord does that here, so ought we to despise no one … but put ourselves right in the middle of the fight for sinners and help them.” As Christians we need to take in those wounded by sin and not leave them stranded on the battle field. We must never put our righteousness above others, but instead humble ourselves knowing Christ died for all. Through His death we are redeemed and have the hope of eternal life.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Reconcile the sin left unguarded
Genesis 4:3-7 (NLT)
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
This is the story of Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Able. Both brought offerings to the Lord, but Able brought the best of what he had. God accepted Able’s gift but rejected Cain’s. God could see the dejection in Cain and warned him sin was already within him waiting to take control. God’s word to Cain about his sin was “you must subdue it and be its master”.
The movie The Straight Story is based on a true story and chronicles the pilgrimage of a 73 year-old man to mend a broken relationship with his brother, whom he hasn't seen or spoken to in over ten years. Alvin Straight (played by Richard Farnsworth) lives in Laurens, Iowa. Alvin has lost his driver's license because of impaired vision. When a call comes indicating that Lyle, Alvin's estranged brother, has had a stroke, Alvin determines to find a way to visit his brother and make things right. His only solution is to hitch a makeshift trailer to his 1966 John Deere riding lawn mower and set out on a 500-mile trip that will take him in excess of six weeks. Camping out in fields and backyards made available by hospitable people he meets along the way, Alvin Straight slowly but surely makes his way toward his destination. After crossing the Mississippi River and entering into Wisconsin, Alvin camps out in a church cemetery, kindling a campfire between tombstones. The pastor of the adjoining church sees Alvin from his office, has pity on the "homeless" man, and brings him a plate of hot meatloaf and mashed potatoes. A conversation ensues. "I can't help but notice your rather unlikely mode of transportation," the pastor says eyeing the riding mower. Alvin makes mention of his brother who lives in the area. The pastor recalls having met a man by that name while making calls in the hospital, but admits that he didn't recall the man making mention of having a brother. "Neither one of us has had a brother for quite some time," Alvin explained. "Lyle and I grew up as close as brothers could be. We were raised in Morehead, Minnesota. We worked hard.… Me and Lyle would make games out of our chores.… He and I used to sleep out in the yard most every summer night. We talked to each other till we went to sleep. It made our trials seem smaller. We pretty much talked each other through growing up." The pastor asked, "Whatever happened between you two?" Alvin's eyes tear-up as he explains. "The story's as old as Cain and Abel. Anger. Vanity. Mix that together with liquor, and you've got two brothers who haven't spoken in ten years." Alvin's manner and voice indicates the depth at which he is grieving the barrier that exists between him and Lyle. He adds, "Whatever it was that made me and Lyle so mad, it doesn't matter anymore. I want to make peace and sit with him and look up at the stars like we used to do."
Like Alvin, many of us have someone with whom we deeply long to be reconciled. Do not let bitterness, envy, jealousy, anger or whatever other sin may be harbored in your heart keep you from reconciling with another.
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
This is the story of Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Able. Both brought offerings to the Lord, but Able brought the best of what he had. God accepted Able’s gift but rejected Cain’s. God could see the dejection in Cain and warned him sin was already within him waiting to take control. God’s word to Cain about his sin was “you must subdue it and be its master”.
The movie The Straight Story is based on a true story and chronicles the pilgrimage of a 73 year-old man to mend a broken relationship with his brother, whom he hasn't seen or spoken to in over ten years. Alvin Straight (played by Richard Farnsworth) lives in Laurens, Iowa. Alvin has lost his driver's license because of impaired vision. When a call comes indicating that Lyle, Alvin's estranged brother, has had a stroke, Alvin determines to find a way to visit his brother and make things right. His only solution is to hitch a makeshift trailer to his 1966 John Deere riding lawn mower and set out on a 500-mile trip that will take him in excess of six weeks. Camping out in fields and backyards made available by hospitable people he meets along the way, Alvin Straight slowly but surely makes his way toward his destination. After crossing the Mississippi River and entering into Wisconsin, Alvin camps out in a church cemetery, kindling a campfire between tombstones. The pastor of the adjoining church sees Alvin from his office, has pity on the "homeless" man, and brings him a plate of hot meatloaf and mashed potatoes. A conversation ensues. "I can't help but notice your rather unlikely mode of transportation," the pastor says eyeing the riding mower. Alvin makes mention of his brother who lives in the area. The pastor recalls having met a man by that name while making calls in the hospital, but admits that he didn't recall the man making mention of having a brother. "Neither one of us has had a brother for quite some time," Alvin explained. "Lyle and I grew up as close as brothers could be. We were raised in Morehead, Minnesota. We worked hard.… Me and Lyle would make games out of our chores.… He and I used to sleep out in the yard most every summer night. We talked to each other till we went to sleep. It made our trials seem smaller. We pretty much talked each other through growing up." The pastor asked, "Whatever happened between you two?" Alvin's eyes tear-up as he explains. "The story's as old as Cain and Abel. Anger. Vanity. Mix that together with liquor, and you've got two brothers who haven't spoken in ten years." Alvin's manner and voice indicates the depth at which he is grieving the barrier that exists between him and Lyle. He adds, "Whatever it was that made me and Lyle so mad, it doesn't matter anymore. I want to make peace and sit with him and look up at the stars like we used to do."
Like Alvin, many of us have someone with whom we deeply long to be reconciled. Do not let bitterness, envy, jealousy, anger or whatever other sin may be harbored in your heart keep you from reconciling with another.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Acceptance
Romans 15:7 (NLT)
7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
The apostle points out Christ accepted believers into His family. The Greek word for accepted (received in the King James) means to take in addition to as ones companion, into ones home with kindness, and to give access to one’s heart. Before Christ we could have been counted strangers or enemies of God. As His accepted children we are no longer strangers and we have been given the privileges of a family member. We therefore should accept others and glorify God through our actions.
What do we do when we don’t like a characteristic of someone close to us? There are several choices we can make. We can reject that characteristic and hold a grudge against the person. We can try to get the person to change the characteristic. We can accept the person for who they are.
Holding a grudge against someone does not help us and sure hurts us especially when God says we should love one another. We can try to change the other person, but the problem with that option is if the person does not want to change they won’t. However if we accept the person for who they are then it gives them the freedom to also accept you for who you are. As acceptance of each other grows there will be things we can let go of and things the other will let go of. We can also learn to hold each other accountable without fear of rejection. God accepts us with all our flaws and sin. And while God wants us to follow and obey Him, He allows us to do so by our own free will. Learn to accept others and share the grace of God.
7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
The apostle points out Christ accepted believers into His family. The Greek word for accepted (received in the King James) means to take in addition to as ones companion, into ones home with kindness, and to give access to one’s heart. Before Christ we could have been counted strangers or enemies of God. As His accepted children we are no longer strangers and we have been given the privileges of a family member. We therefore should accept others and glorify God through our actions.
What do we do when we don’t like a characteristic of someone close to us? There are several choices we can make. We can reject that characteristic and hold a grudge against the person. We can try to get the person to change the characteristic. We can accept the person for who they are.
Holding a grudge against someone does not help us and sure hurts us especially when God says we should love one another. We can try to change the other person, but the problem with that option is if the person does not want to change they won’t. However if we accept the person for who they are then it gives them the freedom to also accept you for who you are. As acceptance of each other grows there will be things we can let go of and things the other will let go of. We can also learn to hold each other accountable without fear of rejection. God accepts us with all our flaws and sin. And while God wants us to follow and obey Him, He allows us to do so by our own free will. Learn to accept others and share the grace of God.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
God's love
1 John 4:21 (NLT)
21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
In this chapter of John the Apostle has spoken of God’s love for us. God loved us before we could love Him. God loved us enough to give His Son as a sacrifice for our sin. God has communicated His love for us and because God loves each of us we should respect His desire and love our Christian brothers and sisters as He loves us.
In the 19th century Charles Bradlaugh, a prominent atheist, challenged a Christian man to debate the validity of the claims of Christianity. The Christian was Hugh Price Hughes, an active soul-winner who worked among the poor in the slums of London. Hughes told Bradlaugh he would agree to the debate on one condition. Hughes said, "I propose to you that we each bring some concrete evidences of the validity of our beliefs in the form of men and women who have been redeemed from the lives of sin and shame by the influence of our teaching. I will bring 100 such men and women, and I challenge you to do the same." Hughes then said that if Bradlaugh couldn't bring 100, then he could bring 20. He finally whittled the number down to one. All Bradlaugh had to do was to find one person whose life was improved by atheism, and Hughes—who would bring 100 people improved by Christ—would agree to debate him. Bradlaugh withdrew! [D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (Thomas Nelson, 1997)] When we know God’s love we can reach out to others when we see them through God’s eyes. However, when we are focused on self we only see others through our own understanding of love and often our efforts to love fail. Let God’s love for you allow you to see how God loves others and love them as God would.
21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
In this chapter of John the Apostle has spoken of God’s love for us. God loved us before we could love Him. God loved us enough to give His Son as a sacrifice for our sin. God has communicated His love for us and because God loves each of us we should respect His desire and love our Christian brothers and sisters as He loves us.
In the 19th century Charles Bradlaugh, a prominent atheist, challenged a Christian man to debate the validity of the claims of Christianity. The Christian was Hugh Price Hughes, an active soul-winner who worked among the poor in the slums of London. Hughes told Bradlaugh he would agree to the debate on one condition. Hughes said, "I propose to you that we each bring some concrete evidences of the validity of our beliefs in the form of men and women who have been redeemed from the lives of sin and shame by the influence of our teaching. I will bring 100 such men and women, and I challenge you to do the same." Hughes then said that if Bradlaugh couldn't bring 100, then he could bring 20. He finally whittled the number down to one. All Bradlaugh had to do was to find one person whose life was improved by atheism, and Hughes—who would bring 100 people improved by Christ—would agree to debate him. Bradlaugh withdrew! [D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (Thomas Nelson, 1997)] When we know God’s love we can reach out to others when we see them through God’s eyes. However, when we are focused on self we only see others through our own understanding of love and often our efforts to love fail. Let God’s love for you allow you to see how God loves others and love them as God would.
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