Verses that inspire

I found a gem that blessed my heart this week; I suppose I should say I "found it again" because it's not the first time I've read it.....but it spoke to me fresh and new this time.

I hope that it will bless you as well:

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)

That same day I read this verse, too:

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:7)

How it blessed my heart! Someone near and dear to me has been struggling with thoughts of life, death, and what comes when we pass across that "threshold."  I've been trying mightily to encourage and inspire. These verses were just what I needed, and I thought some of y'all might need to read them again, too.

This is the hope of believers; this is salvation in a nutshell. God's gift to us, because of His desire to have a relationship with men and women, is eternal life with Him. Jesus' blood covers our sins and we are children of God.

Amen, and amen!

I Peter 2:4-8 Did ya know you are honored?

We're diving back into our studies this week, in I Peter....let's think for a minute....when we are faced with trials and obstacles, we may think "Woe is me!"
But did you know we are actually privileged? Honored?
Yup.
Seriously.
Let's look at our verses for this week:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion,    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him    will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,“The stone the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone,”
8 and,“A stone that causes people to stumble    and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

There's a lot here for us....Peter quotes three different Old Testament verses here, and we will get into all of that as we go.
There are many places in the Bible where God seeks to tell us how truly special we are as believers. That we are privileged.  In Ephesians, we read that believers have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.  In Romans (8:17), we are co-heirs with Christ. When Jesus gave us the lovely sermon that includes the "beatitudes," He said the kingdom of heaven is ours (and ours alone), and after the beatitudes we are called the salt and light of the earth! God wants us as His children to know how special we are. Especially in a world that disrespects and persecutes us, that is truly important for us to know!
Our focus passage up there talks about the honor and privileges of Christians. In fact, many commentators translate the phrase "Now to you who believe this stone is precious", as this phrase: "So the honor is for you who believe." You can see this in the ESV, if you would like to look it up.

I kinda think that Peter was trying again to encourage those scattered believers who were enduring ridicule, obstacles, and persecution because of their faith. In fact, Peter not only is going to talk about the believers' privileges in Christ, but he also compares them to those who reject Christ..... those who "stumble over" Him. The honor of the believers is all the more wonderful when it is compared to those who have stumbled and rejected Jesus. It is truly a picture of the grace of God in our lives.  I've always thought that these privileges would be even more cherished by Jewish believers, for they would really identify with the Old Testament analogies to Israel that Peter uses.

Let's look at the first privilege that Peter mentions -- we have the privilege of continually coming to Christ.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him (I Peter 2:4)

Remember how sometimes in our studies we have noted that a word means a little more than what we read in it today? This is another one of those times!
The phrase "as you come to Him" is a present participle in the original language (yeah, I know I'm a grammar nerd, I can't help it!) and it has the meaning of "as you continually come to Him." So this means not just when we come to Him at the time we accept His gift of salvation, but also coming to Him in worship, in our prayers, and through reading His Word each day.

Another word here is "precious." This literally means "there is nothing like" Him. We have the right to come to the living stone that was rejected by mortal men, but was chosen by God. That's our privilege.
Peter was pointing his Jewish readers back to the prophet Isaiah:

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it    will never be stricken with panic. (Isaiah 28:16)

God refers to Jesus Christ here as that "precious" (there is none like Him) foundation for our faith.
Let's pull our old friend Paul into the conversation here, for he has something to add:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Since our Savior can understand and sympathize, this should encourage us to continually approach His throne to receive mercy and grace.
Is that ole devil whispering in your ear as we start 2018? Is he trying to tell you that you shouldn't go back daily to ask God for mercy? That we are unworthy to receive a daily measure of Jesus' grace? I know, he bothers me sometimes, too. But we need to just shake him off with a healthy dose of prayer time. (Grin)
Let's not neglect our prayer times, for they are a wonderful privilege! It's at Jesus feet that we find mercy, and forgiveness for our sins. And we find the grace to get up and try again.

What's keeping us from enjoying this tremendous privilege?
Think about it.

Friday slowdown

Thank you Lord for watching over us
Through our trials You've made us victorious
We praise Your Name, most great and glorious,
Thank you, Lord, for one more year!!

By the Grace Thrillers, a Jamaican chorus

New Year's practical advice for growth

So far this week, we've talked about how we need to discipline ourselves for spiritual growth. We've noted that we need to take time to write out a purpose statement and a few goals for this year, to w-o-r-k at reading the Bible, to cultivate good character, and to read good, solid, Christian books. What else?

I think it's also important to get into a small group, if possible, where we can deepen relationships and encourage others (and they can encourage us). Perhaps you are part of a church, or perhaps not. We may be able to find like-minded Christians that we can fellowship with, as Paul says in Hebrews:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

For some of us, this study group provides a welcome opportunity for prayer requests, rejoicing, and encouragement. But I would ask that each of us try to find friends who will stimulate us and encourage us to grow in Him. If we have a relationship that is enticing us to go back into the world, or to engage in sin, we must draw back. If we are working to witness to an unbeliever, we may need to keep that relationship, but to make more distance in order to protect our witness. We will tell that person that there are some things we can't do, and some things we can't approve.
As believers, we need one or two trusted, close friends who can ask us the hard questions -- who can hold us accountable.  It is they who will ask us if we have spent time daily in prayer and study this week; it is they who will ask if we've been anywhere this week where Jesus would not have been comfortable; it is they who will ask if we have been a witness for Him.

Next, in that same journal where we wrote our purpose statement, let's write down some notes. Let's pray and ask God how He wants us to be serving Him. Let's make a short list of our gifts, and then pray about serving Him. Later on in our studies of I Peter, we will read that Peter puts all service in one of two categories: speaking or serving. (I Peter 4:10-11)  We may get involved serving other believers or unbelievers in a ministry of a church or Christ-filled charity, or we may reach out to our neighbors or colleagues at work, to build relationships where we can speak out and share Christ Jesus.

Lastly, let's not forget to set some financial goals; we should aim to become better stewards of the resources that God has entrusted to us. Jesus told us to store up treasures in heaven, but He didn't mean that we forget about this life! Here is what Paul tells us:

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (I Timothy 5:8)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (I Timothy 6:17-19)

Practical advice?

• Let's get out of debt. 
• Say goodbye to impulse purchases. 
• Write out a budget and then stick to it. 
• Give more than we are now to our church or ministry we know of. 
• Build savings for emergencies or needed repairs. 
• Start a retirement fund, with a view to how we can serve the Lord once we are freed up from providing a living.

We've covered a lot of ground this week..... if it has hit you like water from a fire hose, don't let it keep you down.
Pray and ask God to show you the first two things that you need to focus on.
It's my prayer that all of us will be able to look back on 2018 as a year of growth in Him!

New Year's practical advice

Last time we met, we talked about writing out a statement of purpose and a few goals....nothing overwhelming, but what we can handle, two at a time. (Grin)
Let's continue with our practical plans for 2018.

The next thing we should write down is that we are going to put in place a regular, daily time where we get into the Word and pray -- and part of that time we are going to devote to memorizing some scripture verses!
There are many verses that speak about this practice.

I have hidden your word in my heart    that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

Wow....teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training....but the scripture can't do those things if we are not regularly studying it!  Ever wish that when temptations or obstacles popped up, you were better prepared? We can't find a better example than that of Jesus....when He was tempted by Satan, He quoted from Deuteronomy in order to defeat him!
We are so blessed in this day of technology that amazes: we can read through the Bible, we can listen to it in our car, we can have apps on our phone....the list goes on. I've heard it said that to read through the Bible in one year, we need only spend fifteen to twenty minutes a day. Add some prayer time, and some memory verses, and you've invested thirty minutes in your relationship and growth in God. How many things in our day do we give more time than that? Ahem.
You may like to keep a notebook so that when a verse speaks to you, you can write it down. And for memory work? Repetition and review are the two keys that we need. Some folks find it helpful to write the verse down. Others are best helped by repeating them aloud. Whatever plan you implement, stick to it! God can't use His Word to keep us from sin if we don't know what it says!
And yes, prayer is a constant battle. How many times have we drifted off to sleep in the middle of our prayers? Being on our knees may help with that!! Another practical suggestion is to make a list and pray over it. Family members, friends, unsaved people, all of these are matters of prayer -- or they should be! And the fact that we are praying for them will help remind us to find opportunities to witness, too.

Thirdly, let's write down that we are going to work on developing godly character qualities. And let's be honest and note the areas where we are weak.  A good place to start is the fruit of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)

I like that after the fruit of the Spirit, Paul reminds us to be careful of pride. Here is another verse that means a great deal to me, and has helped me:

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (I Corinthians 4:7)

Next, we should get in the habit of reading solid Christian books that will help us grow spiritually. Not frothy, feel-good stuff. Remember what Paul asked of Timothy, when he was aged, and fragile, and confined in a Roman cell?

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (II Timothy 4:13)

He wanted books!
But I don't have time to read!!! (See, I have super-sharp hearing, and I heard you say that....)
Calm down.
I understand; my time is limited too.
And I'm not talking about reading to the detriment of our special Bible study time, either!
It may be that we can sign up for an online course, or grab an audio book to listen to. You can choose a hold-it-in-your-hand book, of course, and then take it with you to wait for your turn at the doctor's office or the dentist. (Hey, I even read while I wait for the novacaine to kick in!) If you are waiting for someone who is shopping, or if you have a moment or two while you eat lunch..... it's possible! There are devotional books, books on doctrine, biographies of Christian folks, and more. I tend to stay away from fiction myself, because a lot of it seems to be fluff, and I want to be a good steward of my time!
This gives me an idea....I believe I will post a reading list on our blog to help. I don't have a lot of time myself, but I find a few minutes here and there, and before I know it, I've gone through several books in a year!
Good, solid books can help us grow spiritually.

We'll have more practical pointers for growth next time!!

Prayer requests

As we start this new year, let us pray for each other and for ourselves, that we will grow in Him and more like Him...


Let's thank Him that He makes all things new, and that He allows things into our lives, both good and bad, to teach and remind us how much we need Him, and how much we should rely on His presence with us each day.

Let's pray that the Spirit will help us to let go of the things that He has said "not yet" or "no" to, and to reach instead for His hand. Let's ask for His wisdom, and for Him to whisper in our ears when we need to walk away, and whisper in our hearts when we should stand our ground.

Let's ask for protection and for endurance. Let's ask Him to forgive us when we work so hard to be self-sufficient and independent. Let's confess again our need for His strength.

Let's ask Him to help us to be known as great and compassionate givers of time, money, and love. To help us love others more than self.

Let's ask Him to shine through us to a world that needs Him desperately.

And then let's commit to Him that we will give all the honor, all the glory, all the credit, to Him.


If you have a prayer request, something that we can come alongside you and pray about, please let us know in the comments.

A new year

As we start a new year, several of us have committed to reading the Bible more. To be nourished from the Word.....with the end result, we hope, being growth in our Christian walk; becoming more like our Savior.

Have we done this before? Probably.
Would we really like to have more success this time? Absolutely!
Often the reason we have limited, or short-term success only, is that while we say we want to grow, we don't take aim on growth....we don't focus and really zero-in on growing. So each year, we do well for a while, but then drift into our old ways and don't experience that significant growth that we desire.
So, with different results in mind, let's see if we can make different plans. Let's employ a different strategy and see if we get to the results that we want.  This is going to be super-practical....and some of the things may be what we have tried before; some of the things we'll talk about may be things that we've allowed our focus to slip from; but bear with me -- I think if we do ALL of these wholeheartedly, we may have the success we have longed for.  BUT!!! And this is a big one: don't think that we must do all of them at the same time. Ever heard the term "drinking from a fire hose"? (Grin) Let's take notes, and prayerfully focus on two (or maybe three) goals to get started. Then move on to two more. After all, growth is a process, right?

Let's dive in!
When I'm looking for really practical counsel, I sometimes re-read some of Paul's writings. This guy was so down-to-earth and practical, I can easily imagine feeling comfortable feeding him a simple supper and then lingering about the table for some talk on spiritual matters in our daily lives. He wrote this to his younger disciple, Timothy:

On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. (I Timothy 4:7b)

Just as in many other of his letters, Paul uses an athletic metaphor: the word translated "discipline" in the AMP comes from a Greek word -- the same word from which we get our word, "Gymnasium." Hmmm, in our world, we have lots of "couch potatoes," and we may even be them! We sit on the couch and watch sports and think to ourselves, "Boy, I wish I could do that!" But we know that all of that wishing can't make it happen. We probably don't have some of the natural, God-given talent that those athletes have....and we don't spend hours working out, practicing, and developing those skills, either! They have had a disciplined approach and they've worked hard. All for the goal of being proficient in that sport. No shortcuts there!

Paul is telling us that we need to do the same thing spiritually, for the purpose of godliness. And there are no shortcuts here, either! There are some folks out there offering easy and quick fixes. We're all prone to fall for those. Things that take long, hard, devoted discipline to conquer kinda overwhelm us, no?
Why do people play the lottery? Well, they don't want the hard work (and yes, the discipline) of living within their means and saying "no" to instant gratification.  It's hard sometimes to stay within our budget. It's hard sometimes to save instead of spend. Maybe we'll win the jackpot!
Why do people fall for diet scams? Well, taking a pill and losing fifty pounds sounds much better than pushing back from the table and exercising more!

In the same way, we may want an easy way to solve our marriage problems, rear our kids, succeed in life, or become more mature in the Lord. But real, lasting change only comes through disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness. Notice that Paul says our goal is godliness, not personal success. Being more godly means being more like God, and that comes from our knowing Him more and more deeply. Our aim should be to grow spiritually, to know God in a deeper way, and to glorify God in our lives.....we're going to find that our problems get solved and our lives get happier along the way.

Here is step one. I would really like for all of us to do this: Prayerfully take out a sheet of paper or a notebook and think. Write a one-sentence purpose statement for your life. Also write down a few (four at the maximum) long and short range goals from that purpose statement.
Seriously.
I think this will help me.
It may help all of us!
Now, I'm not saying that after that meal I mentioned, that Paul would dig in the pocket of his robe and pull out a purpose statement. But it's obvious that he knew where he was going in life.

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings along with you. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! 25 Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. 26 Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27 But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]. (I Corinthians 9:23-27)

Now, maybe Paul did write down something similar to what we are doing. I don't know! But it's pretty evident that he had thought carefully about what he wanted to accomplish for the Lord, and that he had organized his life around that purpose. Moses must have thought about it, too, because he said, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) Even he was acutely aware of the shortness of our lives, and the need to live wisely for the Lord.

Each of us will include different phrases in our statements. We may include words like "godly mother," "compassionate wife," "using my gifts," and things like those. Glorifying God should definitely be in there somewhere. Just sayin'. And the two "great" commandments of loving God and loving others apply to each of us, too.
So take your time.
Pray.
Then write out what is in your heart. What the Spirit guides you to write.
Now. In light of that statement you wrote, think about a few goals.
What goals will help us be better stewards? And there are lots of different areas, some of which may be more important to different people. Here are some areas to guide our thoughts:
               
           1. Better stewards spiritually (our morals and character)
           2. Better stewards in relationships (family, friends, those without Christ)
           3. Better stewards in ministry (how does God want us to serve Him?)
           4. Better stewards in financial areas (providing for family, giving)
           5. Better stewards in physical areas (taking care of diet, exercise, and rest)

Don't let the list go too long....instead, focus on two or three goals that you can prioritize. What will help us to be more pleasing to the Lord? Put those into our schedules. Read over our goals each week.
Then, every two to three months, re-read them and evaluate progress. Here is an example: if we are not spending consistent time in reading the Bible and prayer, set a goal of one half hour per day, and five days a week. Choose the best time of day to do it, and get started!!
A month from now, if that isn't working, pray about why it isn't working, and readjust if needed.

We'll discuss some other practical ideas next time!