"And if Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless." 1 Corinthians 15:14
Have you ever watered down something hoping to make it stretch a little further but instead you so diluted it that it became worthless and unusable? Whether it's adding milk to ranch dressing or water to grape juice, some things just aren't the same when we try to spread them too thin.
The question that has been running around in my mind lately is "What Good is the Gospel?" Now don't get me wrong; I don't mean this in a disrespectful way at all. I guess what I am really asking is, "If we don't let the gospel stand alone and be exactly what it is intended to be then what good is it anyway?"
Let me put it this way; if the Gospel doesn't mean that Jesus still heals diseases, or that my God wants to set me free from fear, or that he wants to heal the hurts in my heart, or touch my finances, or direct my steps and give me His supernatural wisdom and power in prayer, then what good is it anyway? Why do I want or need to carry around a Gospel that has no power or that is so watered down that it doesn't even remotely mirror the original?
If Jesus really did rise from the dead, and if the Gospel really does mean "good news"--then let me have it! I want all of what I'm entitled to have! That's not selfish--it's just "cashing the check" that has my name on it for goodness sake!
Romans 8:11 tells us that if we know Christ as Savior, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and at work in our physical bodies. Guess what--that's the GOSPEL!
Sign me up! You???
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
All The Promises of God
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20
The story is told of the great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, as he once wrote back home to his wife during a great time of financial need at the mission in China, "We have 25 cents and all the promises of God!"
I never cease to be challenged and encouraged by this single example of trust from one whose life was a virtual "scrapbook of faith" and a testimony to the fulfilled promises of God.
I have read that there are over 7000 promises of God in the Bible. As I began to do a deeper study on God's promises I asked myself why the Lord gave us as believers so many promises. I mean, He is the God of the universe, right? He could have sufficed by saying, "I'm here, I love you, I will take care of you." Then I realized that is exactly what He did! But because He understood our weakness and our tendency to forget, He kept repeating himself over and over and over again. We have all heard it said that the Bible is God's "Love Letter" to us. I submit to you that it is also God's "Promise Book" to us. In order to experience His promises we must believe that they are for us--and more importantly that He is for us.
The Lord is the ultimate "PromiseKeeper". Don't let anyone or anything snatch away from you the confidence and peace that comes from standing on His promises.
The story is told of the great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, as he once wrote back home to his wife during a great time of financial need at the mission in China, "We have 25 cents and all the promises of God!"
I never cease to be challenged and encouraged by this single example of trust from one whose life was a virtual "scrapbook of faith" and a testimony to the fulfilled promises of God.
I have read that there are over 7000 promises of God in the Bible. As I began to do a deeper study on God's promises I asked myself why the Lord gave us as believers so many promises. I mean, He is the God of the universe, right? He could have sufficed by saying, "I'm here, I love you, I will take care of you." Then I realized that is exactly what He did! But because He understood our weakness and our tendency to forget, He kept repeating himself over and over and over again. We have all heard it said that the Bible is God's "Love Letter" to us. I submit to you that it is also God's "Promise Book" to us. In order to experience His promises we must believe that they are for us--and more importantly that He is for us.
The Lord is the ultimate "PromiseKeeper". Don't let anyone or anything snatch away from you the confidence and peace that comes from standing on His promises.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
"Blizzard"
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." Proverbs 31:21
When the "blizzard" hit last week here in New England, I immediately thought of one of my favorite Bible personalities - Mrs. Proverbs 31!
You gotta love that Proverbs 31 Woman! Let's face it. She set the standard that we all try to reach for, right? I must confess that for a good part of my christian life I really didn't care too much for Mrs. 31. To me she was the "Valedictorian of Today's Christian Woman" who seemingly effortlessly aced all the tests one by one, and I --well I was just average me who kept swinging but was always falling short.
I mean, really. I'm no "merchant ship bringing food from afar". The best I can do is a quick BJ's run in the midst of a crazy jam-packed day. I can't say I've had much experience being one who "considers a field and buys it" , although you will likely find me at Kohl's the end of this month considering filling my cart with clearance items for my grandchildren for the coming year. No matter how much I might aspire to move in her circles, I just don't measure up.
Then one day I realized that Mrs. 31 wasn't really who I was supposed to be trying to be. I am supposed to be the best "me" that I can be as I follow my Lord Jesus. Her attributes are a wonderful model for me but they were written down for one purpose - to encourage me to reach for everything that God created me to be in Christ Jesus.
If I had to choose 2 verses out of this chapter that I really want to be true in my life this year, it would be verses 25-26:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can
laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
Okay Mrs. 31. The Lord obviously had your attention and now you have mine. Thank you for taking your relationship with Him so seriously. I wonder if you know how many people have noticed...
When the "blizzard" hit last week here in New England, I immediately thought of one of my favorite Bible personalities - Mrs. Proverbs 31!
You gotta love that Proverbs 31 Woman! Let's face it. She set the standard that we all try to reach for, right? I must confess that for a good part of my christian life I really didn't care too much for Mrs. 31. To me she was the "Valedictorian of Today's Christian Woman" who seemingly effortlessly aced all the tests one by one, and I --well I was just average me who kept swinging but was always falling short.
I mean, really. I'm no "merchant ship bringing food from afar". The best I can do is a quick BJ's run in the midst of a crazy jam-packed day. I can't say I've had much experience being one who "considers a field and buys it" , although you will likely find me at Kohl's the end of this month considering filling my cart with clearance items for my grandchildren for the coming year. No matter how much I might aspire to move in her circles, I just don't measure up.
Then one day I realized that Mrs. 31 wasn't really who I was supposed to be trying to be. I am supposed to be the best "me" that I can be as I follow my Lord Jesus. Her attributes are a wonderful model for me but they were written down for one purpose - to encourage me to reach for everything that God created me to be in Christ Jesus.
If I had to choose 2 verses out of this chapter that I really want to be true in my life this year, it would be verses 25-26:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can
laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
Okay Mrs. 31. The Lord obviously had your attention and now you have mine. Thank you for taking your relationship with Him so seriously. I wonder if you know how many people have noticed...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
From Frustration to Desperation
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." Psalm 42:1
"I am so frustrated!" "Something has to change!" "I can't live like this anymore!" Does this sound familiar? We all come to points in our journey of faith that cause us to throw up our hands in frustration; frustration with our circumstances, frustration with our own compromising behaviors, frustration with "doing the same thing and expecting a different result." Frustration in and of itself doesn't produce much that we could see as positive. Frustration in our lives can cause us to be irritable, impatient and often impossible to live with. But......if we allow frustration to push us toward the next level in our spiritual walk, it can actually be a good thing. Simply stated: We begin to change, not when we are frustrated--we begin to change when we are desperate.
In Psalm 42:1 the writer gives us a beautiful picture of spiritual desperation. We all understand what it means to be thirsty. You know, the I can't think of anything else at that moment but getting a drink of water kind of thirsty? That's the kind of thirst and desperation I want to have for the Lord. I must admit that all too often I'm not thirsty enough. I allow other concerns and desires to step in and interfere with that "thirsty walk". Lord, make me desperately thirsty for you.
How about you? Are you at a point of frustration or desperation! There's a big difference.
"I am so frustrated!" "Something has to change!" "I can't live like this anymore!" Does this sound familiar? We all come to points in our journey of faith that cause us to throw up our hands in frustration; frustration with our circumstances, frustration with our own compromising behaviors, frustration with "doing the same thing and expecting a different result." Frustration in and of itself doesn't produce much that we could see as positive. Frustration in our lives can cause us to be irritable, impatient and often impossible to live with. But......if we allow frustration to push us toward the next level in our spiritual walk, it can actually be a good thing. Simply stated: We begin to change, not when we are frustrated--we begin to change when we are desperate.
In Psalm 42:1 the writer gives us a beautiful picture of spiritual desperation. We all understand what it means to be thirsty. You know, the I can't think of anything else at that moment but getting a drink of water kind of thirsty? That's the kind of thirst and desperation I want to have for the Lord. I must admit that all too often I'm not thirsty enough. I allow other concerns and desires to step in and interfere with that "thirsty walk". Lord, make me desperately thirsty for you.
How about you? Are you at a point of frustration or desperation! There's a big difference.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Retreat Reflections - 2010
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
What a powerful week-end we had at the Women's Retreat! As usual, the Lord showed himself in such a loving and peaceful way.
Our theme for the week-end was "Loving To Trust". We were reminded that the foundation for trusting in Christ must be love. In order for us to truly trust him we must be assured of his enduring love for us.
We used the song, "How He Loves" as our theme song for the week-end. The first line of the song says, "He is jealous for me...". For so many of us, that sounds great in our minds but our hearts often have difficulty accepting and believing that as truth even though the scripture says exactly that. If God is jealous for me then that means that He must think about me all the time. In Isaiah 49:16 God says, "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..."
So many of us these days have "trust issues". We have been wounded, betrayed, used or violated by those we trusted. As women especially, we need to feel safe. Jesus offers us the security that our hearts long for. So often we have tried to find that security in people, possessions, position, etc.. but we always came up short.
Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."
What a powerful week-end we had at the Women's Retreat! As usual, the Lord showed himself in such a loving and peaceful way.
Our theme for the week-end was "Loving To Trust". We were reminded that the foundation for trusting in Christ must be love. In order for us to truly trust him we must be assured of his enduring love for us.
We used the song, "How He Loves" as our theme song for the week-end. The first line of the song says, "He is jealous for me...". For so many of us, that sounds great in our minds but our hearts often have difficulty accepting and believing that as truth even though the scripture says exactly that. If God is jealous for me then that means that He must think about me all the time. In Isaiah 49:16 God says, "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..."
So many of us these days have "trust issues". We have been wounded, betrayed, used or violated by those we trusted. As women especially, we need to feel safe. Jesus offers us the security that our hearts long for. So often we have tried to find that security in people, possessions, position, etc.. but we always came up short.
Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Well I Just Think....
"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2
In one of our recent Women's Bible Studies we talked about 4 of the most dangerous words that can be spoken, "Well I just think..." Yes, we've all ventured down that winding road at one time or another haven't we?
For those who have decided against surrendering their hearts and lives to Christ, "Well I just think..." is really a convenient way to say - "Im not interested." Usually "Well I just think" is followed by something like: "if you try to be a good person" or "all roads are leading to heaven anyway" or the ever popular "You just have to do the best you can and hope everything works out alright". Hmmm. These all sound good don't they? The only problem is that Jesus himself always gets in the way when he said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Not much wiggle room there.
For the rest of us who have a relationship with Christ but often wrestle with that little "O" word (obedience), those other 4 words probably roll off the end of our tongues alot more often that they should. How about: "Well I just think you have to speak your mind and if people don't like it--too bad", or "Well I just think that what I do in my free time is nobody else's business," or finally, "Well I just think that God would want me to be happy". Hmmm. Again, sounds good doesn't it? You know what though? I just can't seem to shake the last half of Proverbs 16:2 - "...but the Lord examines their motives." Ouch!
Webster's Dictionary defines motive as - something (a need or desire) that causes a person to act. In Psalm 139:23-24 David asks the Lord, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
Are we there yet?
In one of our recent Women's Bible Studies we talked about 4 of the most dangerous words that can be spoken, "Well I just think..." Yes, we've all ventured down that winding road at one time or another haven't we?
For those who have decided against surrendering their hearts and lives to Christ, "Well I just think..." is really a convenient way to say - "Im not interested." Usually "Well I just think" is followed by something like: "if you try to be a good person" or "all roads are leading to heaven anyway" or the ever popular "You just have to do the best you can and hope everything works out alright". Hmmm. These all sound good don't they? The only problem is that Jesus himself always gets in the way when he said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Not much wiggle room there.
For the rest of us who have a relationship with Christ but often wrestle with that little "O" word (obedience), those other 4 words probably roll off the end of our tongues alot more often that they should. How about: "Well I just think you have to speak your mind and if people don't like it--too bad", or "Well I just think that what I do in my free time is nobody else's business," or finally, "Well I just think that God would want me to be happy". Hmmm. Again, sounds good doesn't it? You know what though? I just can't seem to shake the last half of Proverbs 16:2 - "...but the Lord examines their motives." Ouch!
Webster's Dictionary defines motive as - something (a need or desire) that causes a person to act. In Psalm 139:23-24 David asks the Lord, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
Are we there yet?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Less Is More
"A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent." Proverbs 17:27-28
"That's just how I am. If I'm thinking it--I'm going to say it!" How many times have we heard that remark or perhaps said it ourselves? Sounds very assertive, self-confident and independent doesn't it? According to the scripture though, that is an unwise attitude and one that can often get us in trouble. Proverbs 10:19 says, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
As we recently talked about at Women's Bible Study, we've all said things impulsively and the second the words left our mouths we knew we shouldn't have said them. How many marriages have been deeply damaged by thoughtless words spoken during times of pressure or frustration? How many friendships have been forever altered by gossip or hurtful remarks made as a result of misunderstanding? How many parent/child relationships have been scarred by angry accusations made during times of stress or struggle?
James 1:19-20 tells us, "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
I'm still learning that my tongue so often has a mind of it's own and that I need to continually bring it under the authority of Christ. The good news is that the same tongue that can cause so much pain and heartache can also be a messenger of healing and restoration if we humbly lay it on the altar of surrender and brokenness. Proverbs 15:4a says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life..."
Some of the sweetest words the tongue can utter are, "I'm so sorry" and "I forgive you". It's never too late to allow God to fix situations and people who have been damaged by the tongue.
"That's just how I am. If I'm thinking it--I'm going to say it!" How many times have we heard that remark or perhaps said it ourselves? Sounds very assertive, self-confident and independent doesn't it? According to the scripture though, that is an unwise attitude and one that can often get us in trouble. Proverbs 10:19 says, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
As we recently talked about at Women's Bible Study, we've all said things impulsively and the second the words left our mouths we knew we shouldn't have said them. How many marriages have been deeply damaged by thoughtless words spoken during times of pressure or frustration? How many friendships have been forever altered by gossip or hurtful remarks made as a result of misunderstanding? How many parent/child relationships have been scarred by angry accusations made during times of stress or struggle?
James 1:19-20 tells us, "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
I'm still learning that my tongue so often has a mind of it's own and that I need to continually bring it under the authority of Christ. The good news is that the same tongue that can cause so much pain and heartache can also be a messenger of healing and restoration if we humbly lay it on the altar of surrender and brokenness. Proverbs 15:4a says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life..."
Some of the sweetest words the tongue can utter are, "I'm so sorry" and "I forgive you". It's never too late to allow God to fix situations and people who have been damaged by the tongue.
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