2007
DECEMBER ARCHIVES
December 1st
R - Romance and Relationships
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
There are a lot of ministries out there today. Some of them great humanitarian works. Some of them wonderful evangelistic endeavors. Some of them just an excuses for living in sin and calling it of God. I read not too long ago in our local paper of a man that opened a bar called “The Bible Bar.” The Article said he hoped when people came for a drink he could witness to them. So his theory seems to be, feed them with their addiction and win them to Christ? People say I can work within sinful occupations and not be a sinner. No You Can’t! If you are not leading people to Christ with your life and actions you are leading them away from Christ. Imagine this. I am standing in the center of a room. You and a friend are standing at the door of that room. Can you go in the room and out of the room at the same time and still arrive where I am? The Answer is obvious, of course not. To get to me you would need to come in the room. One and only one direction leads to me. Neither can you lead someone out of sin and into sin at the same time. Paul says he keeps himself under subjection. Watching what he says and does. Paying close attention to where he goes. So that at the end someone who is unsaved could not say Paul’s testimony is the same as mine. Why do I need Christ? That would make all the things Paul had tried to do to be cast off as untrustworthy. We are responsible for how and where we lead people in the name of Christ. Where are you leading people today?
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Heard that before? Well, let’s change it just a bit. Today is the first day of your testimony. That’s right. What you do today, people will remember for a long time. What are you getting ready to do? Does it glorify God?
Daily
|
||
|
December 2nd
F - Foundation
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING
THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Churches today are growing and dying all the time. It seems as though one will get bigger while at the same time another will begin to lose all its members. This is in part due to the fact that people no longer have any loyalty to their church. If someone makes me mad, I’ll just pack up my stuff and move down the road to the next church. There seems to be no seeking of forgiveness ever, nor trying to work out the differences. No trying to help a brother in need. No acting like a Christian and trying to help the church grow through tough times. It’s easier to pack up than to pray up. Much easier to leave than to love. You hear the excuses “I just can’t talk with people.” That’s a lie. The true statement is, “I just won’t talk with people involved in the problem, and I’ll only talk with those who will listen to me cry about my side of the problem.” People do talk to people. Even the ones that say they can’t. Some say, “I just did not feel comfortable there anymore.” Well God never said that you were going to be comfortable all your life. In fact, if you are in a church where you always feel comfortable, then they probably are not preaching the gospel. You ought to feel convicted from time to time. You ought to be working through situations in your life. The Bible says the preaching is for the “perfecting of the saints.” If you’re so perfect why do you need preaching? There are those occasions where you have tried to reconcile differences and can’t. Or a time that you have prayed and tried to make things better or the church has gone in a direction that is away from the scripture. But those are rare. Paul was telling the church, I do not want to build a church from another mans work. Lets win the lost to Christ and disciple them to live for God.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Daily
|
|
For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
December 3rd
Daily
|
||
|
December 4th
R - Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch
ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things
be done with charity.
GETTING
THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Whenever a person thinks it could be the last time they might be able to
talk with someone, they try to leave them with a little good advice. In First
Corinthians, Paul has had to take a firm stance with some young Christians. He
has had to tell them that some of the things they were doing were just wrong and
needed to be stopped. But at the end of the letter he tells them exactly what
they need to do. And also what we should be doing today. WATCH: Keep your eyes
open and looking out for sin. It is everywhere. And also be looking for Jesus.
He’s coming soon. STAND: When you are confronted with sin, stand in your faith.
Faith in Jesus, and His strength. QUIT YOU LIKE MEN: today we would say, Act
like a man (or woman) of God. Proud of whom you are in Him. BE STRONG: Be
empowered. Act like someone who is given authority under a great Leader. After
all as a Christian you are. DO EVERYTHING WITH CHARITY: While watching and
standing proudly in Christ, knowing that He has empowered you, treat everyone
with love. Jesus died for them too and loves them just as much.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Daily
|
||
|
December 5th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are
our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Ever hear people
say, "I don't care what people think of me, it’s my life I'll live it any
way I want to." And it’s not just the lost world that does not know any
better that say such things, but saved Christians as well. I’ve heard, “I
don’t care what people think of me, let them think what they want, their
going to anyway.” What a thing to say about a life that is not yours to
control. “What”, you might ask. “Not my life? Then whose is it?” Well I am
glad you asked. First, we have given our lives to Christ. So it is no longer
our life to begin with. Everything you do is a reflection on God. But also
you are an example of the body of believers you have joined as well. As Paul
said, ye are our epistles, or our letters, or our statements of what God can
do in a person’s life. We are an open book for all to see of what we
believe. When people look at you they say in their heart “so that is what a
Christian is supposed to do, say, or be.” And, “that is what that church
they belong to believes is right.” Whether that’s fair or not does not
matter. What does matter is your testimony. So the next time you get ready
to do something, just picture the whole church and Christ doing it with you.
Would they? If not then neither should you. Right?
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Remember, the only Christ some people will ever see will be the Christ they see lived out in you. And the only thing they know about the church you belong to might be you as well. Let’s not degrade the body or the blood of Jesus Christ. Lets be an epistle that Paul could write that he was proud of.
Daily
|
||
|
December 6th
Daily
|
||
|
December 7th
Daily
|
||
|
December 8th
Daily
|
||
|
December 9th
Daily
|
|
For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
December 10th
Daily
|
||
|
|
December 11th
Daily
|
||
|
December 12th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Over years of
reading the Bible most Christians will come across a verse that seems to be
their verse. Mine has always been
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
My parents did not leave me hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was not awarded acres of land nor barrels of precious jewelry. But what they did leave me with was the memory of two people that really believed in God’s Holy Word. They left me a lifetime of examples of trusting in the Lord. Yes, they are both gone home to be with the Lord they loved so much. But they left me the most valuable inheritance of all. Faith in their Lord and a testimony of His faithfulness to those who trust Him. Thanks mom and dad. May I leave those behind me as great a gift as you both did.
Daily
|
||
|
December 13th
Daily
|
||
|
December 14th
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Stand fast.. What does that actually mean? Well it does not mean to jump up from where you are sitting and stand up real fast. The only thing that will accomplish is a dizzy feeling and maybe falling over and cracking open your skull. Stand fast means to act like a mannequin on your beliefs. Don’t be persuaded by the latest and greatest thing that comes along. Stand solid on the word of God. Don’t let someone with a new interpretation of the scripture entice you to believe something different than what is really there in the Word of God. It also means keep standing. Don’t quit. There is little time to rest and let down your guard in this day and age. So Stand Fast, Hold on to the traditional teachings of God’s Word. Don’t be moved, and keep standing. Today when it seems that everything is driven by our wallets instead or our worship, be the rock that is unmovable.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus. Why? Because you are soldiers in His mighty army. Stand up for what you believe in. Stand Up for Jesus. Stand Up for the Word of God. Stand Up today. And Stand Fast.
Daily
|
||
|
December 15th
R - Romance and Relationships
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Have you ever seen a baby born? Being the father of five children I have had the privilege of being present at each and every birth. Each one different in some ways, but all very similar in others. One thing that is certain, not one of those children came into this world with anything in their hands. No money, deeds to property, keys to a car, or clothes on their backs. They entered the world free from all those things that would later become part of their lives. No payments for anything nor worries about having a place to store any of their stuff. They came into the world free to love and receive love without any hindrances. We do not love babies because of how much they earn. We do not like being around them because of what they own. Babies are fun to hold and to love just because they are babies. Wouldn’t it be great if we could live the rest of our lives in such innocence? Not loving because of this or that. Just loving because the person we love is fun to love. Because when we sincerely say I love you it matters to them. Because when we hold them with no expectations of anything in return, that love often comes back to us in like manner. Wouldn’t it be great if we could not expect anything in exchange for our love? Not withhold it if we did not get something in return? Love one another as we would an innocent baby just recently born? That is the way God loves us. Not because of what we can do for Him. But because of what He has already done for us. We can love that way you know! And as certain as a person came into this world with nothing, they will also carry nothing out. That is with the exception of a life filled with loving them the way God intended.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Tell someone close to them you love them today. Say it as if this were the last time you might ever see him or her again. Say it expecting nothing in return. A feel the love of God wrap around your heart.
Daily
|
||
|
December 16th
Daily
|
|
For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
December 17th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
The “Fear Of The Lord” is such a misunderstood phrase. Some people literally live in fear of God. I mean a literal “I Am Afraid of Him” type fear. They go day to day believing that God is up there in heaven just waiting and watching and as soon as they make a mistake… Whamo... they are in for it. I picture them sort of like the whack a mole game you see at the fair. You get a large mallet and are given just so much time to whack as many of these plastic moles in the head as they pop their heads out of one hole after another. Some people live as if they make one mistake in life that God is waiting up there in heaven with this Huge Holy Mallet ready to whack them in the head and take away their salvation. What a terrible way to have to live. Afraid of someone that loves you so much. God never intended for us to live in a spirit of fear. We are to live in the Power of God, With Love and a Sound Mind. Let this mind be in you…. The Mind of Christ. Be open with God as He has always been open with you.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Don’t live in a frightened fear of God. Live in a reverence of who He is. Not afraid… but in Awe. And remember this. This powerful awesome God…loves you personally. He wants to hear from you today.
Daily
|
||
|
|
December 18th
R- Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
How often have we thought, “I can’t witness for Christ now
because….”(You fill in the blank, I know I have with many excuses). It seems
there is always a reason to not share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But does
it ever work the other way. You’re just setting around and think, “I sure
wish there was someone around to tell about Jesus right about now.” If you
ever thought that and meant it, probably someone showed up. God intends for
us to always be willing and ready and able to share the good news of our
salvation. Paul led a run away slave by the name of Onesimus to the Lord
while in jail. Paul could have said, I am too preoccupied trying to think of
how to get out of jail to think about someone else right now. Or maybe, who
is going to listen to me anyway, I’m in jail just like them. Sadly that is
what we do all too often. Let’s be more like Paul if we can. In our worst
time let’s think of others. You might be surprised, it might make what you
thought was your worst time, not so bad after all.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
As you go through your day today,
start to think, who can I share Christ with and how will I do it. Then, JUST
DO IT! It may surprise them and you. It will defiantly make your day a lot
more exciting.
Daily
|
||
|
December 19th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us
was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Why is it that we can set in a congregation of hundreds, all hear
exactly the same sermon form a man of God, and come away with so many
different understandings of the same truth? Some will walk away saying,
“that was one of the best messages I have ever heard.” Yet others will stomp
off saying, “that was the biggest bunch of nonsense I have ever heard.” Why
is it that you can share the gospel with two people and one will accept
Christ as Lord and Saviour and another will have nothing to do with it? Why
is it that there are those people that get saved and their life seems to
change almost immediately, and others that make professions of faith, but
after just a short while they are back in the world doing what they did
before? Why? The answer is in this verse today. The author of Hebrews (who
I believe was Paul) wrote in chapter four verse two
For unto us was the gospel preached, as
well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being
mixed with faith in them that heard it. Why did it not profit
everyone the same? Because some refused to believe. Some would not put their
faith in something they could not touch or see. No real faith. They might
act as if they believe or may even get an emotional tingly experience. But
they never really put their faith in Jesus Christ. Instead they try to earn
and keep their salvation by works. Not believing that what Jesus did really
was enough. They lack faith. What is faith? In Hebrews eleven and verse one
it says; Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It
means that faith is built on believing what is said. The substance of things
hoped for. The substance is a fact. It is the Word of God. It is the
promises given to us by God. Faith is built on that substance. The evidence
is the life changing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men and women
throughout the ages.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
As you share with others, remember it’s not a competition as to how many more you may win to Christ than someone else. Rather it’s the joy of being allowed to proclaim the truth. Let God do the harvesting. Just keep planting those seeds.
Daily
|
||
|
December 20th
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Death! Even the word sounds creepy. The idea of dieing is not something most people want to dwell on. I heard tell of a preacher who stood on the platform behind the pulpit and asked, “Everyone who wants to go to heaven, please raise your hand.” Almost every hand in the building went up. He then reached under the pulpit and pulled out a pistol, held it above his head and said. “Who wants to go right now?” All hands went down. You see we all want to go to heaven, but we all also like what God has provided us with here and now.
The Bible says that every person ever born has an appointment to keep
with death. It’s an appointment that we all must keep when we will close our
eyes to the things of this world. What then? That depends on what you
believed in while your eyes were still open. If we have trusted in Jesus,
his death and resurrection to pay the price for our sins and completely
turned our life over to Him, when we close our eyes here, we open them in a
wonderful place called heaven. At that point we will be judged. Not as a
convict over guilt of wrong doing, but as an athlete who finished a race.
The Righteous Judge of all eternity, Jesus, will reward us for the things we
have done for the Kingdom of God. If however we have not trusted Jesus for
salvation, we arrive in a place of torment for the lost. There is a judgment
for them also. This is not a judgment of reward, but an eternal sentence.
Brought before the same Righteous Judge of all time, Jesus, He will say
depart from me, I never knew you. And a second time, you will be separated
from Him but this time for all eternity. Each one placed into outer darkness
with Satan and his followers. It’s called the second death.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Check your schedule book. You have an appointment you will keep. Where are you making plans to go?
Daily
|
||
|
December 21st
Daily
|
||
|
December 22nd
Daily
|
||
|
December 23rd
Daily
|
|
For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
December 24th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Here in the last few years we have seen and heard of books and so
called theologians that have made claims that there is a code in the Bible.
There are any numbers of books out now that claim there are several Bible
Codes. They say that somehow in the Torah, the Hebrew version of the Old
Testament, if you skip 3 letters and pick up the next one you will come up
with hidden messages in the Bible. And also claim that the people that wrote
those books put a code in there with hidden messages. There are a few
problems with that line of thinking. One, The Torah was not written in
English. It was written primarily in Hebrew. So how do these people claim to
find a code from an English translation of the Bible? Second, which English
version of the scripture do you need to use to get the right code? If you
use
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Daily
|
||
|
December 25th
Daily
|
||
|
December 26th
Daily
|
||
|
December 27th
Daily
|
||
|
December 28th
E - Economic
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
I’m sure you have said or heard someone say “This or that will happen when Hell freezes over.” Can you imagine all the wild and crazy things people must have attached to that phrase? I’ll get married, or sing a solo or give you my car or whatever wild idea came up just before the phrase when Hell freezes over. Living in Michigan most of my life there was kind of a joke around about that phrase, “when Hell freezes over.” There was a city not far from where I lived named Hell, Mi. And being that in the winter months we would get a lot of snow, sometimes Hell would freeze over. We were just waiting to see if all those promises would come true on that day. What a crazy day that would be.
Another phrase you hear concerning this place called Hell is “Hell on
Earth.” What a phrase. What a thought. Most often when someone uses that
phase they are referring to something terrible happening. Like that
hurricane that ripped through the southern U.S. and destroyed entire cities,
people said it was like Hell on earth for some. It seemed like the worst
thing that could possibly happen to them. But as terrible as that was or as
horrific as your worst possible day has been, it will not compare to the day
when God and the angels ban Satan from Heaven and he takes up residence on
this earth. Friends that will be the closest people living on earth will
ever come to real Hell on earth. Social and economical destruction will be
like never before.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
The good news is; we don’t
have to be here. In First and Second Thessalonians the Bible talks of the
church being taken away before the tribulation period on earth. And all we
need to do to have that happen is accept Christ as our Saviour before that
day of real “Hell on Earth.” Some might say “I’ll get right with God when
Hell freezes over.” Well it’s December in Michigan! Why not make that a
reality today?
Daily
|
||
|
December 29th
Daily
|
||
|
December 30th
Daily
|
| For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
December 31st
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Oh how I am looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (I know some of you are saying, “He looks forward to any meal.” And you’re right.) This is going to be a very special fellowship time. A banquet like no one has ever seen before. And I will be part of the church, who is the Bride of Christ. The Guest of Honor. The King James Bible says that I will be dressed in clean and white linen. And that that linen is the righteousness of the saints. Some have interpreted that to be the righteous acts of the saints. This is a terrible interpretation. My