Here is this week’s memory verse:
I wonder if we thought about this verse this week, instead about what we do or don’t do as believers, if we’d feel better about our walk with Christ and more willing to follow Him wherever He leads. I have a feeling it would free us from some legalism and help us live by grace.
What do you think?
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Proverbs 27:5
I was talking to one friend recently who made a very pointed criticism of another mutual friend. It was obvious he has a sincere concern about our other friend, but instead of addressing it with him, he decided to mention it to me. Honestly I wondered how many other “friends” with whom he has had this same conversation. I simply told him I thought he should speak with our friend directly about his concerns.
This is such a difficult verse for some people…especially people pleasers…maybe even some pastors…because we are afraid to offend people, but the principle is that we must be willing to help those we love, even when it is uncomfortable.
Proverbs are principles. They aren’t promises from God as much as the are pieces of wisdom from God to help us live life better. The are commands as much as they are guidelines. You can live a very principled life and not be guaranteed success, but in the majority of circumstances, these principles work best. In this specific proverb, you are not guaranteed to be received well when you offer “an open rebuke”, but it is “better than hidden love”. We shouldn’t be constantly looking for flaws in other people and we should look at our own faults first, but when a friend is obviously making bad choices in life that will eventually cause them or others harm, the loving thing to do is to offer correction.
I believe the principle behind this proverb is simply that if you love someone…truly care for others…then you should be willing to confront the issues you see in their life. Sometimes others can see things in us that we can’t see in ourselves. If a friend or loved one is making bad decisions, it’s better to bring it to their attention than to ignore it in the name of love. I hear people say, “I don’t want to offend them” or “It’s none of my business”, but the idea here is that if you love someone enough, you’ll be willing to help them realize where they are making mistakes.
Is this tough for you? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment here?
If you are the one who needs rebuking, would you rather hear it from a friend, a stranger, or not at all?
Now the harder question, who in your life needs your “open rebuke” more than they need your “hidden love”?
Help me out with this post.
Is it common in your marriage for one spouse to be strong when the other is weak?
Or is that just in my marriage?
Cheryl and I have noticed that it goes in seasons for us, and sometimes even day-to-day.
When Cheryl is having a bad day…week…month…I seem to be having a better period of time.
Cheryl often appears to be stronger during my weaker moments.
We have found it to be true emotionally, physically, and sometimes even spiritually.
When she’s weak, I can strengthen her…
When I’m weak, she can strengthen me…
That “imbalance” in our marriage has proven to be quite strengthening for our marriage…
This imbalance actually helps to keep our marriage balanced and strong…
I wonder if God might even be the designer of this imbalance at times…
Have you noticed this healthy “imbalance” in your marriage?
Dear church planter (and others)…
In the growth phase, everything is changing, life moves at rocket pace…
Somedays you don’t know whether you are coming or going…
It’s a bit overwhelming, stressful, even a bit scary at times…
I hear this often from new church plants and fast growing churches…
I feel (and identify with) your pain…
I see part of my calling to help church leaders during this time…
I pray you protect your heart and your family…
But…
Like many of you, I use my Facebook account every day. There are some things I like and some things I don’t like about this means of social media.
Let me share first what I like:
There are some songs that stick with you forever. Music has a way of speaking to our hearts and minds in ways the purely spoken word can’t seem to penetrate. I’m so thankful God gave us the enjoyment of music.
Recently I was listening to Fernando Ortega sing “Jesus Paid it All”. Instantly, there was an equally powerful emotion. It was as if I’d never heard it before and as if I’d written the song. The truth, the comfort, the confirmation, and the joy of this song flooded my heart.
In case it’s been a while since you considered these words written by Elvina Hall (1822-1889) in 1865, spend a few minutes reading them now. Let the words sink deep into your heart and mind. It’s even okay if you sing them aloud…I don’t care.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6;16 NIV
God is bigger than any obstacle in your way today!
There, I have said my point for the this post.
Small children put great faith in their fathers (and mothers). When my youngest son was only a few years old, I remember hearing him brag to one of his friends about what I could do. I didn’t correct him, but he was far over-selling my abilities. He believed, however, that I was fully capable of handling all of his problems.(He’s since learned how limited I am!)
Jesus said we are to come to Him with the mind of a child. The good news here is that you can brag about the abilities of your Heavenly Father. He is God! What more needs to be said? He created the tallest mountain, the fluffiest cloud, the sweetest apple, the highest wave, the fastest horses…and He created you! He shaped the trunk of an elephant and painted the spots on a ladybug. He is the designer and orchestrator of everything in the Universe! He has more power in a single word, than a 10,000 armies have in all their armaments.
Let me ask you a very serious question today?
It’s time for another Bible verse to remember. I realize some of you may be new to this, but I hope you’ll still tag along.
This week is an easy verse, but oh so powerful! Can you imagine if we just practiced this verse for a week?
And I think it’s fairly easy to memorize also…
Here’s this week’s memory verse:
What’s the purpose of marriage?
We are doing a series called Family Ties at Grace Community Church next month and I’m speaking three times on marriage. It begins with a look at the purpose of marriage. I’m not convinced we all know…or perhaps even agree…with what the purpose of marriage. Of course, we will look at what the Bible says about marriage, but I’m curious…
As I prepare, dialogue with me on this post. I want your opinion. I believe the Bible should shape our thoughts, not a person’s opinion, but I also believe understanding what people believe will help me prepare to address this from a Biblical perspective. Also, while I believe the Bible gives some clear purposes for marriage, I realize some of that is subject to interpretation of Scripture.
So, will you help me? Consider these questions to fuel your thoughts.
What do you believe is/are the purpose/s of marriage?
Is it better for some people not to marry?
Do you think some people marry for the wrong reasons?
Is the Bible clear on “all” the purposes of marriage?
Do you know that nervous energy you get when you face the uncertainty of life?
You feel it when you assume a overwhelming risk?
It’s that emotion…that adrenaline rush…
You feel it deep in your gut…
Ever felt it?
Well here’s the reality…
Some of us…as awkward, difficult, stressful, and even painful as it can be…
Live for that emotion…
You’ll find it in…
I’ve seen many unhappy Christians. Sometimes I am one of them. Whenever I see people (or myself) in a pity-party because of the situations or circumstances around them, I’ve learned it’s often because of one of three things. I’m sure there are many other reasons, but these three tend to pop up the most:
I love the vision Grace Community Church has to impact our community. Our people serve their community throughout the year. The largest project, and the one that draws the most attention, is our annual Operation Serve held each fall where hundreds of volunteers serve in a one (sometimes two) day blitz of community needs. I’ve written about it before HERE. This past year over 1,300 people logged some 10,000 hours of service to our community meeting all kinds of practical needs.
Well, another project is stirring interest. Our community, like many others nationwide, have experienced struggles adequately funding school systems. Enter Operation Serve School Edition.
April 9th we hope to have hundreds of people volunteering in all 35 schools in our public school district. Operations Serve School Edition invites the community to participate with our church in landscaping, painting, cleaning, and completing other things the school needs done, but the budget simply can’t provide. The schools are compiling lists now and materials are being acquired.
To accomplish such a large task, we are also partnering with 5 Star Radio Group. They are providing publicity to recruit volunteers and providing tremendous moral support the day of the event with live remotes.
It’s catching on already. Here are a few articles already talking about Operation Serve School Edition:
Operation Serve: School Edition
Church aims to renovate entire school system
Church To Fix Up 35 Schools In 1 Day: Grace Community Church In Clarksville Seeks Volunteers
Besides the fact that we meet in a school…actually two schools…and doing a church our size and age would be very difficult without this partnership, it makes sense to partner with our schools because:
I need your help. If you regularly read this blog I’d love to hear from you. Even if you’ve never commented before, consider doing so on this post.
I’ve been active online for over 15 years now and I see what I do here as an extension of my calling in ministry I’m consistently encouraged by the professionals…bloggers, pastor friends and book publishers…to define my life focus. Supposedly if I do I can write a book about it. Currently I simply post what’s most current on my mind or heart, but I always want to improve.
I can look at the analytics of the posts I write, but honestly they don’t tell me much, as there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to any certain theme of posts I write and page views.
So, I need your help. Could you answer a few questions for me?
Here’s a principle I’ve learned the hard way:
Sometimes the most successful are not the ones who do it perfectly but the ones who do it…
Whatever “it” is…
Many times we wait until the perfect timing, until all our questions are answered, or until the perfect set of circumstances are aligned before we move forward. In the meantime the world keeps moving and those who move, even though conditions are less than ideal, realize the victories others miss.
What dream, vision, call of God do you need to move forward on today?
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Do you know why you can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence?
Unconditional Love! God loves you unconditionally!
Have you ever experienced the awesome feeling of knowing you are loved unconditionally?
I have come to realize how many people struggle with understanding the concept of unconditional love.
I feel so blessed to
