Tweet A common email for me is one where someone is questioning their salvation. The typical person is one who has been in the church for a number of years,…
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I hope you are continuing to memorize these verses. About this time, gyms empty out because many with a resolution to exercise have fallen out of the habit…or never gained a habit…as the case may be. The same is true here. Now is not the time to give up, but to press forward until a habit fully forms.
Here is this week’s memory verse:
I hope you and I will like by this verse this week and always…
When your “Gospel” is the risen Christ…you can face anything that comes your way.
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.
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:
Last Sunday, in our LIES series, I addressed the lie that Christians stop sinning when we become followers of Christ. It’s also why we have been called hypocrites by some. Every believer knows, however, that they still battle sin, but it’s often confusing as to why. I addressed this issue in this message:
Did you watch the message? Have you ever thought of Christians as hypocritical?
Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that His love has not been perfected in us. 1 John 4:18 NLT
Evidently, according to this verse, if we could have perfect love for God, we could get rid of all fear. The challenge comes in having perfect love.
I’m not sure I understand the concept completely, especially as it relates to a God I cannot see, but the best way I know of is to compare what I don’t understand to something I do understand.
I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? Psalm 121:1 NIV
When you are in the valley, I mean really, deep in the valley, the only place to look is up!
Life has a way of placing you in the valley for seasons. Have you ever been there before? Are you there now?
Have you ever lifted up your eyes, heavy, burdened with guilt, mourning with hurt, drooping from the strain of sorrow, to see the mountains where your heart longs to be again?
Have you ever been so low that you barely have a dream of what it is like to be on top?
All of us will one day have a heart that needs to be filled. Each of us find ourselves at times expereincing that empty painful, awful hole in our heart, the size that only God can completely fill.
In those times, it’s important, more than ever, to remember where your help come from. Your hope lies in a Savior, in a man like no other man, who came, who loved, who shared, who died, and who lives again! Your hope is in Jesus! Your help is found in Jesus! In that most desperate moment…there is no substitute!
If you are in the valley today…look to the hills….look to Jesus!
Can my readers and I pray with you about an issue? Leave a comment on this post.
Our oldest son Jeremy beat me to the shower Sunday morning. He graduated from college last year and works in Nashville, staying there during the week and coming home on weekends. Normally he sleeps late and attends Grace Community Church, but this morning he was up early…way early…so he could meet a friend for breakfast back in Nashville.
Why? You see, Jeremy is a relationship king. He loves people. If it involves a friend or his fiance Mary he will gladly alter his plans, even if it comes at an “inconvenience”.
It was odd timing that Jeremy provided me with this illustration.
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:9-11 NIV
About 10 years ago now, my family spent a weekend visiting churches with a group of people from our home church. The church was preparing a long-range plan and one part of that report was to review the style of worship. At the time, the church had a very traditional style of worship and was asking if it should incorporate more contemporary or a blended music.
A few days after out trip, I was sitting with my youngest son having lunch. He was about 10 years old at the time, but very perceptive. Reflecting on our recent trip, he asked a good question and it was one that helped shape my thoughts at the time. He asked, “Daddy, what kind of worship will there be in Heaven? Will there be one contemporary worship service and one traditional?”
I was stunned. I had never thought about it. What style of worship does Heaven have? Will we sing praise choruses, or will we use hymnals? Will there be organ music or piano? Will there be a praise team or a choir…a band or a solo artist? And…most importantly…the bigger question…do angels sing?
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12 NIV
One thing I have learned about Bible verse: a verse usually has more than one application. As I have read the Christmas story over the years, I have become intrigued by the phrase “This will be a sign to you”. A sign of what?