Your Worldview Matters

Not long ago, I heard someone ask, "What if we treated

our Bibles like we treat our cell phones?" That is an interesting

question when you think of how important cell phones have

 become to us. They have become so essential to us now.

But do we treat our Bibles the same way?

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.   2 Timothy 3:1–3


It is sad when someone who has been a Christian for awhile is illiterate when it comes to the things of the Bible. Probably one of the greatest problems we are seeing in the church today is a complete ignorance of what the Bible actually teaches. After conducting a study that revealed that less than one in every 10 believers possess a biblical worldview as the basis for his or her decision-making and behavior, researcher George Barna pointed out that the Christian body in the United States is immersed in a crisis of biblical illiteracy. The most widely known "verse" among adults and teens who claimed to be believers was "God helps those that help themselves." The problem is that you won't find it in the Bible.

Your worldview matters. And it is not a question as to whether you have a worldview; it is whether you have a biblical one. Your worldview, the way that you see life, is formed by many things. It can be formed by the culture you are raised in, by your upbringing, by the books you read, by your education, and by the media you expose yourself to. And the reason your worldview is important is that it is comprehensive. It affects everything you do, from your personal morality to the way you spend your money to the way you vote to the way you live.

So what is a Christian worldview? Simply put, there is a living God, and He has revealed himself in Scripture. Therefore as Christians, we believe that we can find absolute truth from the Bible, regardless of what is politically correct, regardless of what we feel is right or not right. We base our beliefs on what the Bible teaches. That is what it means to have a Christian worldview.
 
BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN

Discerning God’s Goodness

Read Psalm 31:19-24


I’ve often heard folks proclaim, “God is good!” when all is going well, but then doubt His benevolence when the blessings they envisioned don’t materialize. Because God alone is good, only He can accurately determine what is best for each person. His kindness is expressed in more ways than simply provision of wealth, health, and relationships. Some of His gifts are experiences we would never choose, but the Lord knows we need them in order to grow in faith, obedience, and perseverance. Consider the following expressions of God’s goodness toward us:


• Loving discipline. Since God’s love is unfailing, He corrects us when we refuse to follow Him and instead go our own way. The process is painful, but the result is “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).

• Wise Limitations. Satan offers a world of opportunities and possessions that seem to promise happiness but ultimately draw us away from God. With great wisdom, the Lord lovingly withholds those things that prove detrimental to our spiritual life.


• Useful suffering. God knows which refining experiences we need in order to become fruitful and useful in His Kingdom. What appears to us as a valley of weeping is God’s valley of preparation for godliness and service.

It can be tempting to interpret God’s character on the basis of our circumstances. If evidence compels us to doubt His goodness, we must remember that while His gifts come in a variety of wrappings, they are always beneficial. As Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

What If You Die Today?

13) Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14) How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.  James 4:13-15 (NLT)

I'm sure that the people in Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004 expected another typical day. But tragically and sadly, for many, that day was to be their last. The unsparing waters of the Tsunami devastated well-to-do tourists visiting for the holidays, as well as peasants who went about their daily work.

Let me ask you right now: what if you were to die today? What would happen? And most importantly, where would you spend eternity? You need to know that God loves you and wants you to spend eternity in heaven with Him. But you also must know that a wall separates you from a perfect God as a result. Try as you might to scale that wall, you will fail—be it through good deeds, morality, or even religion. According to the Bible, we all "have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23).

But God loved you so much that He reached out to you by sending His own son, Jesus Christ, to this earth. There never, ever has been anyone who walked this earth like Jesus. Jesus was both God and man. Therefore, He was uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between a holy, perfect God and sinful, fallen humanity. With one hand, Jesus took hold of God the Father, and with the other, He took hold of sinful humanity. Spikes were driven through those hands as He died for your sin and mine. Then, Jesus rose again from the dead, conquering sin and death. He promises that if we will turn from our sin and put our complete faith and trust in Him, we can be forgiven of all our sin and go to heaven when we die.


14) For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15) Remember what it says:  “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Heb.3:14-16 (NLT)


CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE; CHOOSE LIFE!
 
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

The Python and the Chihuahua

What we think about is really important.


In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things" (NKJV).

Another translation puts it this way: "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse" (THE MESSAGE).

What we think about ultimately affects what we do

Therefore, we must nip in the bud any thoughts that are impure, spiritually harmful, or that feed the beast of worry. This means refusing to play the "What If" game and driving yourself to despair.

You remember the first temptation, when Satan came to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1 says, "Now the Serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (NKJV)

He did not introduce himself by saying, "Hi, I'm the Devil, the enemy of God, and I have come to ruin, destroy, and pull you into hell with me and my demons!" He may be wicked, but he isn't stupid!

The Devil is like a snake

When the Devil comes to us, he comes with subtlety, snake-like, slithering in when you least expect it. People don't always keep their guard up for him either.

I read about a large python that ate a family's dog, a silky terrier-chihuahua crossbreed. The children, ages 5 and 7, watched as the snake finished his meal.

This is sad, but also odd. The local zoo owner, who eventually came and picked up the snake, said, "The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it."

"They should have called me then, but (the snake) got away . . . and came back," he added.


We can be like that with the Devil


He has essentially plopped himself right in our bed, and we pay him no mind. "Oh, he won't be back," we think to ourselves.

But just like that python, he is stalking you! Don't underestimate his power, and don't leave your mind open to his attack.

As a snake, Satan attacked Eve's mind. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (NASB).

Why? Because it is here in "command central" that we reason, contemplate, and fantasize. Your mind can reach into the past through memories, and into the future through imagination.


Train your brain!

You need to train your mind to think properly and biblically. We read in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we should cast down "arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."


Just some things to think about today. Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

Don't Conform—Transform

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 12:2

A recent survey revealed that America's youth now spend, on average, over seven-and-a-half hours each day involved in electronic media. And that number doesn't include the amount of time spent texting or talking on cell phones. The problem is that a lot of that time spent in front of media screens will influence them in the wrong way.

The Bible tells us to fill our minds with the things of God. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world. . . . " As the J. B. Phillips translation puts it, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould [sic]." The word "conformed" refers to the act of assuming an outward appearance that does not accurately reflect that which is within. Of course, we all just want to fit in. We don't want to be thought of as dorks, nerds, fools, or idiots. We don't want to be classified as uncool. So we will do things that we think others want us to do. But let's not try to appear to be of this world when we are not.

By "this world," Romans 12:2 means a culture, a mentality, a way of thinking that is largely hostile to God. As 1 John 2:16 tells us, "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world."

Remember, God's will is better than our own. His will is good and acceptable and perfect.
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

Our Reasonable Service

Romans 12 begins with what we might call a conditional promise. The promise is that we will know the "good and acceptable and perfect will of God." The conditions are as follows:


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. . . .

To know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, we must present ourselves to God. In the first 11 chapters of Romans, the apostle Paul writes about the fact that we are all separated from God by our sin. There is nothing we can do, through our own strength, to right our situation. But God showed His love toward us by sending Christ to die for us and forgive us of all sin. So in light of this, considering all that God has done for you, Paul says, here is what you ought to do: "present your bodies (wills and emotions) a living sacrifice."

We are to present ourselves to Him as an offering. And offerings are not taken; they are given. Your life is something that you offer to God. It is a living sacrifice, however. Generally sacrifices are dead. Sacrifices that have been killed don't squirm off the altar. But living sacrifices have a tendency to do that. So we need to willingly offer ourselves again and again as living sacrifices.


The Bible also says this is our "reasonable service." The word "reasonable" used in Romans 12:1 could be better translated "logical." In other words, it doesn't make any sense not to do this. A half-hearted commitment is illogical. So if you want to know God's will, then present yourself as a living sacrifice.


Oh Lord as we honestly examine our own hearts, we pray that we might know we’re in the faith. Bring into the prayer room those that need to come Father, do Your work in all our hearts. In Christ's name... Amen.
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

A Friend You Can Trust

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,

and He will show them His covenant. — Psalm 25:14

There are certain people in my life that I regard as true friends, friends whom I know I can trust. A true friend is someone who will keep your confidence. You can reveal your heart to a true friend. You can trust a true friend. You can tell a secret to a true friend.

Not only that, but a true friend tells you the truth. A true friend will speak the truth, even if it is not easy. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

God is our friend, and He always will tell us the truth. Not only that, but He wants to reveal His secrets to us. In Psalm 25:14 we read, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him. . . ." God wants to speak to us. In fact, Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

That Jesus compares us to sheep is not a compliment, by the way. Sheep are among the dumbest of all creatures. Most animals, in many cases, will survive if released into the wild. They will learn to fend for themselves and make it. But a sheep released into the wild cannot survive. Sheep have no survival skills whatsoever. They are totally dependent upon the shepherd—just like we are. The sheep come to know that when the shepherd speaks they should follow, because his plan for them is better than their plan for themselves.

It may be that one of the reasons we don't know the will of God in certain areas is because we have not applied what is clearly the will of God for all areas. Obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters unrevealed.

Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

Can We Trust Our Conscience?

12) We can say with confidence and a clear conscience

that we have lived with a God-given holiness[a] and

sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s

grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have

 conducted ourselves before the world, and especially

 toward you.  2COR. 1:12 (NLT)

The conscience looks at thoughts and actions to determine if they are in line with one’s principles and standards. It is important to keep our internal alarm system well maintained so it will be trustworthy.

For our moral compass to sound at the right time and for the right reason, we must:

• Accept scripture as our standard for behavior. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” If we choose to adopt our culture’s values, which are often at odds with the Lord’s, our conscience will be unreliable. Instead, we want our radar to alert us to the possibility of going off course.

• Align our thinking with the Lord’s. Romans 12:2 says to renew our minds. It is necessary and ongoing work to combat what this unbelieving world accepts as true and right. Our alarm system should help us identify ungodly ideas.

• Apply God’s Word to daily living. When our habits reflect godly values, our conscience will become more sensitive to what is right and wrong

In addition, it is essential that we rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Our conscience by itself is of some value, but it becomes indispensable when accompanied by the Spirit’s guidance (John 16:13).

The scriptures teach us how to live—in our thought life, conduct, and emotions (Gal. 5:16-23). As we make our standards align more closely with the Lord’s, our conscience will become increasingly trustworthy because it is based on what is important to our heavenly Father
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

The Power of Forgiveness

There isn't one person reading this who hasn't been hurt by another person. Question: what are you doing with that offense? Do you hold them hostage for the injury they inflicted on you? How many hours and days have you wasted thinking, "You owe me and I'm going to make you pay?"


That's a tough question on a painful topic but you have to get it settled. In order to navigate your way through relationships, you need to hold a conviction about how you're going to respond when someone hurts you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 gives us direction: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Read that last phrase again, "as God in Christ forgave you."

As freely as He forgave you. As quickly as He forgave you. As generously as He forgave you.

Jesus models what forgiveness should look like in our lives. He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and spat upon, then crucified. As He hung on that cross for your sins and mine, He said: "Father, forgive them." Jesus' model motivates us to live out Ephesians 4:32, "Just as God in Christ has forgiven you."

You've heard me say it before: there are no enduring relationships without forgiveness. None. Before you go very far in any partnership, there will be forks in the road where if you do not forgive, the relationship will not survive. It's true in every marriage, in every household, in every small group, in every friendship. This is always, always true.

You know that Kathy and I are committed to serving in one church for a lifetime. As I'm preaching, I look into the faces of people I've known for a long time. I know that I would not have those relationships today were it not for their willingness to forgive me and my willingness to forgive them. Forgiveness says, "Because of Christ, you owe me nothing."

I love this true account from the life of Leonardo DaVinci. Not only was he a great painter, but DaVinci had a great faith in God. On the day he was to begin to paint the masterpiece, "The Last Supper," he had a blow-out argument with one of his friends.

As he was painting the disciples seated around the table, DaVinci was still sour toward his friend. So when it came time to paint Judas - you guessed it - he painted his friend's face. Then he moved on to paint Jesus. Of course Leonardo loved Christ but try as he might, he couldn't paint His likeness in any way that he thought represented His beauty. He painted, erased, painted, erased. Convicted by his own unforgiveness, he repainted the face of Judas with some other, random likeness and went to get right with his friend. Only then could he return to finish his portrait of Christ.

It's been said that DaVinci's face of Christ in this work is one of the most beautiful ones ever painted. What a great picture of the mercy in forgiveness. It will bear itself out in your life and mine. We will not see the likeness of Christ reproduced in our lives until we forgive.

Has the Lord brought a relationship to mind that needs your long-overdue forgiveness? By faith say, "Because of Christ, you owe me nothing.”

Take to heart God's call on your life: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor

 and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 4:31-32

BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN

"Walking With Christ"

Read  Romans 1:4-6


The pathway of faith has divine purpose, and we’re to obey, no matter what. But even when God’s direction is perplexing, we can count on the fact that He is good. AWalking obediently with Christ doesn’t guarantee an easy life, which is obvious when we consider the

Apostle Paul. He encountered all kinds of hardships, including shipwreck, persecution, and beatings (2 Cor. 11:23-27). Keep in mind, though, that nothing can touch a believer without God’s loving permission. He uses difficulty to strengthen and correct believers—and eventually to achieve His ultimate plan. Also remember that the Lord protects His followers in their suffering, just as He kept Paul safe in situations that seemed impossible.

Adversity can tempt us to ignore the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But we will ultimately regret such a decision, as God doesn’t spare us from the consequences of our sin. However, He never lets go of His children, whom He will continue to protect and guide throughout life.

Walking in obedience and trust is the only avenue to true peace. As Paul sat in an uncomfortable Roman prison where his life was in danger, he encouraged believers not to worry but to pray with gratitude. Doing so leads to experiencing peace beyond what we can comprehend (Phil. 4:6).

The only wise way to live is to trust in almighty God and follow wherever He leads. That is the road to contentment, fulfillment, protection, and peace. Are you journeying on the pathway of faith? Or is something holding you back from all God intended for your life?

Be Blessed!

Dawn

"The Shed Blood of Jesus"

29) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30) He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31) I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”  32) Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33) I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34) I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.[a]” John 1: 29-34 (NLT)


When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he declared Christ to be the Lamb of God (John 1: 29).

This concept was actually familiar to the Israelites, since their law required blood offerings as atonement for sin (Lev. 17:11). Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, paying “once for all” the sin debt owed by mankind. (1 Pet. 3:18). His death secured forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who trusts Him as Savior. With regard to salvation, nothing else is required or acceptable to God.

Jesus was the one who set things right between the Father and man. He died to bring us . . .

Redemption. This was a word that was used to describe a marketplace transaction—one that buys back something of value. All humanity was in bondage to sin and unable to pay the penalty (Rom. 6:23). As our sacrificial lamb, Jesus willingly died in our place and, with His blood, redeemed us for His Father (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Forgiveness. As God’s adopted children, we have been saved by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28) and permanently pardoned for our transgressions. The penalty for our actions has been fully paid. So at the moment of salvation, our guilt for the sins we committed—past, present, and future—is wiped away.

Meditate on what the Savior did at Calvary (Eph. 1:7) As the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus exchanged His life for ours and gave it up to pay what we owed. His death redeemed us, secured our forgiveness, and gave us a permanent place in God’s family. Thank You, Jesus, for bringing redemption!
 
Be Blessed!

Dawn

A Powerful Witness

Now, I never profess to be a saint or perfect but I do try to live right!


There is no greater impediment to the progress of the gospel than Christians who live hypocritical lives. The world can sympathize and be forgiving when it comes to the errors which befall us due to our fallible humanity. After all, we all make mistakes. Yet, what the world cannot tolerate is preaching from a person who has no credibility because of a lifestyle that goes directly against the message preached.


Indeed, God has ordained things to work such that the lost see Christ and believe His testimony to be credible when we live our lives as if Christ is truly alive and at work in our hearts. Thus, if we claim to be Christians and yet fail to let Christ rule in our hearts, we blind people from seeing Christ. Our testimony is a very serious matter because it is a powerful influence in pointing someone toward or away from Christ and salvation.

The Bible gives us several identifying marks which all Christians should possess and live out. The first is love. John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." We must love all people, even those who irritate us to no end, who curse our God, and those who would like nothing more than to see us suffer. No matter what, we must be kindhearted and care for the well-being of others ahead of our own.

In a world devoted to self-seeking and where love has grown cold, this surely makes believers stand out. A second identifying mark is unity. John 17:21 says, "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." If the world can see a unified family, a unified church, or a unified Bible study group, for example, then they might believe that Christ is indeed the Messiah sent from God to redeem the world from its sin.

The world understands division, destruction, and an "every man for himself" mentality. But to see a group of people live with kindness and gentleness toward one another even when they have nothing to gain from doing so, this is a sign from heaven that Christ is indwelling these people. A third mark is holiness. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."

A consistent and God-honoring lifestyle is necessary for true love to be manifested, to be seen, and to accomplish its powerful witnessing work. If we live like the world, how can the world see Jesus in us? We must obey Romans 12:9 which says, "Let love be without hypocrisy." A fourth mark is good works. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Christians might have love in their hearts and be walking in obedience, but if they are not putting their love into action, the world is not getting a chance to see Christ.

When love is acted out in good works toward others, the world can see and praise God in heaven. The church should be known for its pure and undefiled religion, going to those in need and seeking to meet their needs (James 1:27). Finally, a fifth mark is our hope. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

The world should be able to see the hope which we have no matter what circumstances we face to the extent that it makes them ask us how we could have such a hope despite what is going on in our lives or around us. Whether things are good or bad, it should be obvious to all that we still believe that God loves us and that God is on the throne.

As we live out these identifying marks, the world will have to take notice. Perhaps we will be persecuted, but then again, we might just have a chance to share the gospel. Regardless, it is by God's design that the gospel is advanced through His people, and therefore His people must provide evidence to the message preached by how they live their lives. May God give us grace to let Christ shine brightly through us this day and each day forward for the sake of the testimony of our Savior.

Scripture Of The Day: "But sanctify the Lord God[a] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

A Sin Review

"Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!" - Psalm 25:7

David remembers all too well the sins of his youth - as well as more recent ones! And yet he comes to God with a bold request: "Remember not the sins of my youth." Do you know what he's talking about? He's talking here about sins of ignorance, the sins of youthful arrogance. "I didn't know any better." Or, "I thought I knew better!" Does that ring bells for you? Did you do some stupid stuff when you were young? The older I get, the more I realize how little I knew when I knew it all. The sins of my youth - now those are some haunting problems from the past: "I was ignorant. I was foolish. I was immature - Lord, choose not to remember these things."

But notice the second phrase: ". . . or my transgressions." Some translations say "my rebellious ways." It means my willful acts; not just my youthful foolishness, but the times in my life, God, when I knew the right and I chose the wrong. I knew that my attitude was wrong, but I chose that bitterness anyway. I knew that my values were wrong, but I chose to be selfish. I knew that that pleasure was forbidden by You, but I consumed it for myself. As we draw near to God, we have a sense of His holiness.

Sometimes it's not easy to be in the hot seat. If we're going to really connect with the life of trust, the barrier is sin. "Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God," Isaiah 59:2 says. "Your sins have hidden his face from you." One of the reasons why people trust God so little is because trusting God requires dealing with sin. "Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!" "I don't deserve to be riding along here with You. I don't deserve to be in this life of trust and faith, but I acknowledge my sin. And I claim Your mercy."

(via The Weekly Walk )

Be Blessed!

Dawn

" The Shed Blood of Jesus"

When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he declared Christ to be the Lamb of God (John 1: 29).


This concept was actually familiar to the Israelites, since their law required blood offerings as atonement for sin (Lev. 17:11). Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, paying “once for all” the sin debt owed by mankind. (1 Pet. 3:18). His death secured forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who trusts Him as Savior. With regard to salvation, nothing else is required or acceptable to God.

Jesus was the one who set things right between the Father and man. He died to bring us . . .

Redemption. This was a word that was used to describe a marketplace transaction—one that buys back something of value. All humanity was in bondage to sin and unable to pay the penalty (Rom. 6:23). As our sacrificial lamb, Jesus willingly died in our place and, with His blood, redeemed us for His Father (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Forgiveness. As God’s adopted children, we have been saved by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28) and permanently pardoned for our transgressions. The penalty for our actions has been fully paid. So at the moment of salvation, our guilt for the sins we committed—past, present, and future—is wiped away.

Meditate on what the Savior did at Calvary (Eph. 1:7) As the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus exchanged His life for ours and gave it up to pay what we owed. His death redeemed us, secured our forgiveness, and gave us a permanent place in God’s family. Thank You, Jesus, for bringing redemption!
 
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

"God’s Promise in Context'

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.  8 The commandments of the Lord are right,  bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.  9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;  each one is fair.   10 They are more desirable than gold,  even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,  even honey dripping from the comb.  11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them. Psalm 19: 7-11(NLT)

Yesterday we noted that believers must consider the whole counsel of God to understand His promises. For example, the Lord’s commitment to supply our needs isn’t an isolated pledge without connection to other parts of scripture.


Trust God to provide. James opens his letter with a strong warning that those who doubt the Lord can expect nothing from Him (1:6-7). God’s trustworthiness is clear in scripture and in believers’ lives, but our wavering confidence undermines His work.

Wait upon His timing (1 Sam. 13:9-13). King Saul took over the prophet Samuel’s duty and made a pre-battle sacrifice to God. Like so many people who manipulate circumstances and timing, Saul was dissatisfied with the results. He won the war but lost not only God’s favor but also his kingdom. No one gets what he really wants by supplying his own need.

Accept responsibility (Prov. 19:15, 20:4). God does not open a door to opportunity while we’re lying on the couch. We have to be on the lookout. If we need a job, we should be out making applications. If we want to know the Father’s direction for a hard situation, we need to be seeking Him regularly through prayer and His Word. The Lord goes before us to soften hearts, but we must do our share.

God knows our needs, and He has committed Himself to meeting every one. But He does not make promises in a vacuum. We have a responsibility to trust Him, be patient, and do our part. Then we leave it to the Lord to move heaven and earth to give us what we require.


Be Blessed & Be  a Blessing to One Another!
 
 
Dawn

Shoes in Church

I showered and shaved....... ....... I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat......... .... In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer...... .... As I closed my eyes.   I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own.. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'  It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.


A prayer began: 'Our Father'..... ...... I thought, 'This man with the shoes.. has no pride.  They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.  The shoe man said. ...... a quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer...... . But my thoughts were on his shoes again.  Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door?


'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor..  Then the prayer was ended....... .... And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters..... ... His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky.
 
It was time for the offering.... ... And what I threw in was steep.  I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out......... . What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft 'clink.' as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie.  It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes.


At the end of the service..... . As is the custom here.  We must greet new visitors. And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow..... ..... And wanted to meet the shoe man.   So after the closing prayer..... ... I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.  But I thanked him for coming...... ... For being our guest.


He said, 'My names' Charlie..... ..... I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'  There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin.

'Let me explain,' he said........ . Wiping tears from his eyes. 'I've been coming here for months..... And you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance.. .......'Is not like all the rest.  'But I really do try......... ........' To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.  'But by the time I get here........ .'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'


My heart filled with pain........ .... and I swallowed to hide my tears.  As he continued to apologize... ...... For daring to sit so near.

He said, 'When I get here........ ...'I know I must look a sight.  'But I thought if I could touch you..'Then maybe our souls might unite.'


I was silent for a moment...... ... Knowing whatever was said  Would pale in comparison.. . I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;  'That the best of any man......... ...'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought,.... ......... ... This shoe man will never know.  Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.


Be Blesed & Be a Blessing to One Another!

Dawn

" It's Covered"

If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and choose to follow Him, the Bible promises our salvation. We can rest assured that we are forgiven and redeemed. What’s more, nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39), and we can trust that He will provide everything we need to accomplish His purpose in our lives

STORY:

A wealthy, well-dressed man was walking down the street when he passed a homeless man. He stopped for a second, turned around, and said, "Excuse me. You look familiar. Do we know each other?"  The man said, "Yeah, I'm Steve. English—third period. Remember?"

"I do remember you, Steve." The man could see that his former classmate had fallen on hard times. So he pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for $500. He said, "Listen, I want you to have this. Let the past be in the past. I want to give you a fresh start. I hope this helps." Then he turned and left.

The next day, he walked down the same street and found Steve still there. When he asked what happened, Steve told him, "Well, actually I never cashed the check. I went down to the bank, saw all of those well-dressed people, and I thought they would take one look at me, think that I forged this check, and refuse to give me the money. I just didn't think it would work. So I didn't cash the check."

The man said, "What makes that check good is not your clothes or your appearance. What makes that check good is my signature. Now go and cash it."

In the same way, our worthiness is not what gives us access to God. It is based on the signature of Jesus Christ, written in His blood over our lives when He gave us salvation. We don't have to live in constant fear of what God thinks about us. We don't have to do things to earn His approval. We don't have to worry about where we will spend eternity. This is all covered in Christ—and this is what God has done for each of us.

Therefore, having been justified by faith,

we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus

Christ, through whom

also we have access by faith into

 this grace in which

we stand, and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.  — Romans 5:1–2

DAWN

"For we walk by faith, not by sight"

There is a similarity between eyesight and faith simply in the effect that they have--one on the physical, the other on the spiritual. Nevertheless, in terms of II Corinthians 5:7, faith and eyesight are opposites. Recall that Hebrews 11:1 says that "faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen." Faith is the conviction of what we have heard but cannot see. "Faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17).


Man says. "Seeing is believing." So when a man sees something, he is convicted, and his mind, then, is inclined to what he has seen. In the life of the righteous, faith is the controlling factor that motivates his conduct. The importance of eyesight is true in the physical realm, but it means almost nothing in the spiritual realm.

Consider physical Israel. The Israelites saw multiple miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness, but they seem to have profited them almost nothing. They saw the Nile turn to blood. They saw the frogs. They saw the lice. They saw the darkness. They saw the hail. They saw the fire on the ground. They saw the murrain kill the cattle. They saw the firstborn die. They saw the Red Sea part. They saw the pillar of fire and the cloud. They saw water coming out of the rock. They saw manna on the ground every day for forty years. They saw all those things.

Yet, what they saw did not affect their minds spiritually at all because eyesight means almost nothing in terms of the spiritual. Faith is the foundation, the assurance, the substance, the confidence, of things not seen--the invisible realm of God. In terms of faith, what a person can see with his eyes is more likely to frighten him and create doubt than it is to build faith.

Faith, according to Ephesians 2:8, is a gift of God. It is a gift because we did not have real spiritual faith until God began to call us. It is a gift because, by a mighty miracle, God opened our minds to enable us to understand His Word so that we can process the evidence we hear from His Word and make right choices relevant to His Kingdom.
 
Be Blessed!
Dawn

Our Faithful Father

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Read
2 Timothy 2:11-13


All of us experience times when circumstances feel unbearable, prayers appear to go unanswered, and God seems distant. When that happens, we may wonder if He is the same as we once believed Him to be.

During such periods of helplessness, faith falters for some people yet grows stronger for others. What is it that can cause such opposite responses to suffering? The key is simply one’s understanding of and trust in God’s faithfulness. This term means that the Lord never changes—He always does what is right, remains true to His promises, and is 100 percent reliable. In other words, we can trust our almighty God, regardless of our situation or attitude.

Our understanding of God relates to this concept. Do we trust Him enough to obey, even when obedience seems foolish? Are we so confident He hears and answers prayer that we consistently bring requests before His throne, even when we don’t see an immediate response? Are we daily sacrificing our selfish desires and patterns of living because we believe His promise of eternity, joy, and peace? An answer of “no” may indicate a deficient understanding of God’s character. That’s why reading the Bible is so important—through scripture’s countless illustrations of our Father’s attributes, we learn who He is and increasingly trust Him.


Thankfully, the Lord’s faithfulness does not depend upon our circumstances, our feelings, or even our own faithfulness. He is true to His Word and true to Himself. How would your life look different if you had complete confidence that God was trustworthy and unchanging?

Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

A Nation Gone Astray

1 Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.  2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.  Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.   3 Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin.  Your lips are full of lies,  and your mouth spews corruption.  No one cares about being fair and honest. The people’s lawsuits are based on lies.  They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin.  5 They hatch deadly snakes and weave spiders’ webs.  Whoever falls into their webs will die, and there’s danger even in getting near them.  6 Their webs can’t be made into clothing,  and nothing they do is productive.   All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark.  7 Their feet run to do evil,  and they rush to commit murder.  They think only about sinning.  Misery and destruction always follow them.  They don’t know where to find peace
or what it means to be just and good.   They have mapped out crooked roads,  and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace.  So there is no justice among us,  and we know nothing about right living.
We look for light but find only darkness.  We look for bright skies but walk in gloom.  10 We grope like the blind along a wall,  feeling our way like people without eyes.  Even at brightest noontime,  we stumble as though it were dark.  Among the living, we are like the dead.  11 We growl like hungry bears;  we moan like mournful doves.  We look for justice, but it never comes.  We look for rescue, but it is far away from us.
12 For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. 13 We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord. We have turned our backs on our God.  We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies.  14 Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found.  Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed.
15 Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. 16 He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed.   So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him.   17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.  He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.  18 He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds. His fury will fall on his foes. He will pay them back even to the ends of the earth. 19 In the west, people will respect the name of the Lord; in the east, they will glorify him.  For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord.[a]  20 “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,”[b] says the Lord.  21 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken! Is. 59: 1-21 (NLT)

The principle of sowing and reaping applies not only to individuals but also to nations. A country that ignores or rejects God and His Word will suffer the consequences of that choice. Though Israel had once honored the Lord, it went astray during the days of the prophet Isaiah and suffered the dire results of turning from the heavenly Father.

When a nation begins ignoring biblical commands and principles, truth becomes relative as false philosophies and "liberated thinking" take root. Leaders tend to consider themselves advanced and intellectual, but in reality, if they are separated from God, their thinking is foolish and their understanding darkened (Eph. 4:17-18).

A society always behaves according to its belief system, so the inevitable result of skewed thinking is sin. Once sin becomes acceptable in the eyes of the people, sensuality and self-gratification dominate as restraint is lifted. The baser nature of man emerges in the form of immorality, greed, and violence. Injustice reaches its peak when laws permit the killing of the most helpless and innocent of all its citizens—unborn children. Even if the majority of citizens disapprove of the injustice and immorality, unless they act, that nation will continue its downward spiral into depravity.

Our ultimate hope, of course, is in our coming King who will reign on earth with righteousness and justice. But the church must still awaken to its responsibility to be salt and light in a depraved world. Each generation is called to be alert and active during its appointed time on this earth

Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

It's Time to Put Our Thinking Caps On

It's Time to Put Our Thinking Caps On


There is an alarming ignorance of who God is and what He is like, even among professing Christians. This was shown in recent poll conducted by Barna.


According to the poll, half of Americans who call themselves "Christian" don't believe that Satan exists and fully one-third are confident that Jesus sinned while on Earth. Further, 25% dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches."

The pollster concluded, "Growing numbers of people now serve as their own 'theologian-in-residence.' One consequence is that Americans are embracing an unpredictable and contradictory body of beliefs."


So it's time to put our "thinking caps" on.


God wants us to think, not just feel.

The Lord entreats us in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together" (NKJV), or another translation puts it, "Sit down, let's argue this out!" (THE MESSAGE)

When you become a follower of Jesus, you do not have to "check your brains at the door." Christianity is a reasonable, even logical, faith.  That is not to say we don't need to have great faith to follow Christ, but it is to say the teachings of the Bible quite simply make sense!

We need to think and act biblically, not emotionally

Far too many people, when stating their opinion, will say, "I think," "I feel," "I believe," or "My God would never do thus and so."

We need more "The Bible says," because then we will learn to think, feel, and believe the right things. This is called theology, and we neglect it at our own peril.

Experience is never to be the basis for theology. Sound theology, however, is the basis for experience.

C.S. Lewis gave this warning years ago: "If you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones!"

We need, as Chuck Swindoll once said, "Sound theology without apology." Because what we believe about God will affect the way that we live. As 1 Timothy 4:16 says, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers" (NIV).

Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"Purpose in the Mundane"

So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans.

But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there!

Kings 7:5

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of the will of God when you were doing a rather mundane thing? In 2 Kings 7 we find the story of four men with leprosy whose hunger sent them in search of their next meal. Little did they know that God would use them in the process to herald His message of provision for the people of Israel.

Israel not only was in the midst of a famine, but they were also under siege from the Syrians. As these four men sat at the entrance of the city's gates, they decided that things couldn't get much worse. So they came up with a plan to go to the camp of the Syrians in the hope of getting some table scraps. But when they arrived, they discovered the Syrians had fled—and had left food everywhere.

The Syrians ran away because they heard the noise of an approaching army. They assumed the Israelites had joined forces with their allies to drive them out of the camp. God had supernaturally cleared out the Syrians with this noise, but He also had naturally led the four men to the camp. Hunger drove them—something as simple as wanting to get a meal.

The will of God is not always easy to discern. But often while we are looking for visions and angels and audible voices, God is saying, "You know what? I have an opportunity for you right now if you will just pay attention."

Galatians 3:11 reminds us, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." God will lead you both supernaturally and naturally, but for the most part, the Christian life is one of faith where you study His Word, pray for direction, apply His principles, and then go out and do the right thing.

Be Blessed and be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"The Way That Seems Right"

Wisdom from Proverbs:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is

the way of death.” 16:25 When a man's ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 16:7 

 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 16:9

Not a day goes by that you and I don’t make decisions that turn the direction of our lives. We base some of our choices on what we know for sure; others are judgment calls. Proverbs 16:25 has a built-in alarm system that warns us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” When you base your decisions on what seems right to you, flags should fly up all around when you read this verse. Its caution is so specific and so current that we need to take every word seriously.

Notice, “There is a way . . .” not there was a way. This warning is not leftover from when you were in high school. Nor is it talking about your future. This flag is for your life today, wherever you are. If you’re 25 or 45 or 65, there is a way that seems like the way to go and you’re looking right at it.

“There’s a way that seems right to a man . . . ” Are you pondering a decision, maybe even taken several steps in a certain direction, that just feels like the right decision because it’s smooth and sunny and fun and fast? Make no mistake about it, most likely it is the wrong way.

Remember when Jonah ran from God? He went down to Joppa and found a boat waiting in the harbor that took him in the opposite direction from where God told him to go. It must be right; the boat was just waiting there for me. Listen, Satan can put a lot of wrong ways right in front of the person who is willing to consider it. You’ve got to go find the right way. The wrong way will usually come after you.

The problem is that all of this only “seems right to a man…” because our minds are darkened by sin, our hearts are impatient for pleasure, and our wills are weighed down with the old nature and the inclination to sin. Don’t trust what seems right to you—that’s leaning on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Trust God with everything you’ve got, ask Him for wisdom, and He will make the path of your life plain and straight. He’ll make it so you don’t have to waste a lot of time going down roads that just seem right but paths that you know are right in God’s eyes.
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn