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Your Choice: An Open Rebuke or a Hidden Love

By Devotional, Encouragement, God

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.

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March 4, 2011
Love4

Jesus Paid it All

By Church, Encouragement, Faith, God, Jesus

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.

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February 27, 2011
Love0

God is Bigger

By Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God

“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?

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February 27, 2011
Love0

Scripture Memorization, Week 9

By Encouragement, God

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:

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February 26, 2011
Love0

Experiencing God’s Unconditional Love

By Devotional, Encouragement, Family, God

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

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February 20, 2011
Love0

Why Do Christians Still Sin?

By Christians, Encouragement, God, Jesus

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?

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February 20, 2011
Love0

Where Do You Look When in a Valley?

By Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God, Jesus

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.

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February 13, 2011
Love0

What Style of Worship is in Heaven?

By God, Jesus

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?

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January 9, 2011
Love0

5 Questions to Unpack a Bible Passage to Teach

By Church, God, Leadership

Someone asked me recently how I address a Bible passage in order to teach about it. I certainly don’t claim to be an expert, but I do have a system. Of course the process begins and ends with prayer, but God has wired me to think systematically, so I need a format that works for me in writing a sermon message.

When teaching on a specific passage of Scripture, I consider five questions about the Bible text:

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January 5, 2011
Love0
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