Good Morning!
My good friend Fred pointed out a mistake I made in yesterday’s Good Morning. The sentence should have read:
I can assure you that my friends who aren’t getting “fed” at their current church didn’t get “fed” at their former church and won’t get “fed” at any church they attend in the future UNLESS they choose to take part in the preparation of the meal.
Sometimes the fingers don’t type what the mind thinks. But this does allow me to reiterate the point that personal growth in Christ begins when we take responsibility for our own personal growth. I have a lot of preacher friends – but not one of them can MAKE me grow in Christ. Growing is a decision that the individual has to make for themselves.
Well, Miss N is back in Southern Regional with another blockage – and I am alone here at home – with the exception of the dogs and the cats and the fish. It is a strange feeling for a guy who has never lived alone. It’s true. I went from my Momma’s house to Miss N’s house without a break. So being alone is a unique experience for this feller. And it reminds me that many people feel very alone – even in the midst of a crowd. We can do something about that – by just being a friend.
I read with interest an article on Fox News website regarding atheists knowing more about religion than any other group. The author was the president of the American Atheists. You can imagine what he had to say about this – or you can go out on the website and read the article. There were several points that he missed on – he even claimed that preachers receive a tax-free living. I know my preacher friends are glad to hear that – but, please, do report your income and pay your taxes. As with most people who don’t believe in Jesus Christ, the author equated Christianity with religion. Well, folks, since religion is a man made system of works designed to reach God and Christianity is a relationship desired by God, the poor atheist got it all wrong. Atheists may know about religion – but they haven’t got a clue about the relationship.
Every facet of what Jesus did was an expression of God’s love for us. Paul said this:
Romans 5:1-8 (English Standard Version)
Peace with God Through Faith
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Our salvation is not a matter of us reaching some lofty goal set by man but a simple step of trust in God’s completed action in Jesus Christ. If only we could convince those who work so hard at not believing…
Today is going to be a good day. I already know it and am looking forward to it.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Workers in the Kingdom
Good Morning!
A good friend and I were talking and she mentioned that she was disappointed that she had not been asked to serve on any committee in her Methodist church. Having served on the Nominating Committee on several occasions, I cannot imagine anyone being omitted from consideration. But our conversation got me to thinking... and, boy, are you in trouble when I begin thinking.
In my opinion, the sign of a healthy congregation – whether it be ten or ten thousand – is the number of folks involved in the ministry. We are commissioned to not only share the Good News of Jesus Christ but to teach those who choose Christ everything He taught us. In short, we are to help people get involved.
There is an old principle called the 10/90 Principle. Ten percent of the people do 90 percent of the work and give 90 percent of the resources. Hopefully your church doesn’t fit this principle – or even come close. But if it does, you can help effect a change by getting involved yourself. If you are already involved, you can help change it by encouraging a brother or sister to get involved – and perhaps even leading them to involvement.
Let’s face it – God has given the ministry of reconciliation to EVERY believer – not just the preachers, deacons, and Women’s Missionary Union – or whatever it is called in your fellowship. To accomplish this goal, God has given you Spiritual gifts to use and talents to use. Use them! Don’t let them atrophy.
One of the complaints I hear on occasion from folks who are unhappy with their church is that they are “not being fed”. Well I have a question – when do the servants eat – before or after serving the dinner? You see, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, I became a bond servant. I am not supposed to eat until I have finished serving and the Master says “eat”. The truth is that when I am involved in the work of the ministry, I get a whole lot more out of it than if I am just sitting, waiting to be served. I get a whole lot more excited about the accomplishments of God when I am involved in the process than if I am merely an observer. I can assure you that my friends who are getting “fed” at their current church didn’t get “fed” at their former church and won’t get “fed” at any church they attend in the future UNLESS they choose to take part in the preparation of the meal.
I have taught Bible studies for almost forty years and I KNOW that the best studies occur when everyone in attendance has studied the Scripture, prayed over it, thought about its history and its current application. Conversely, when the student population has depended on Mr. Jim’s vast (cough) wealth of knowledge (get real), not much has been learned and the studies are pretty flat.
The point is that God has prepared you for service and expects you to serve Him. So do it!!!
(Now I will step off my soapbox …love ya!)
Agape’
Mr. Jim
A good friend and I were talking and she mentioned that she was disappointed that she had not been asked to serve on any committee in her Methodist church. Having served on the Nominating Committee on several occasions, I cannot imagine anyone being omitted from consideration. But our conversation got me to thinking... and, boy, are you in trouble when I begin thinking.
In my opinion, the sign of a healthy congregation – whether it be ten or ten thousand – is the number of folks involved in the ministry. We are commissioned to not only share the Good News of Jesus Christ but to teach those who choose Christ everything He taught us. In short, we are to help people get involved.
There is an old principle called the 10/90 Principle. Ten percent of the people do 90 percent of the work and give 90 percent of the resources. Hopefully your church doesn’t fit this principle – or even come close. But if it does, you can help effect a change by getting involved yourself. If you are already involved, you can help change it by encouraging a brother or sister to get involved – and perhaps even leading them to involvement.
Let’s face it – God has given the ministry of reconciliation to EVERY believer – not just the preachers, deacons, and Women’s Missionary Union – or whatever it is called in your fellowship. To accomplish this goal, God has given you Spiritual gifts to use and talents to use. Use them! Don’t let them atrophy.
One of the complaints I hear on occasion from folks who are unhappy with their church is that they are “not being fed”. Well I have a question – when do the servants eat – before or after serving the dinner? You see, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, I became a bond servant. I am not supposed to eat until I have finished serving and the Master says “eat”. The truth is that when I am involved in the work of the ministry, I get a whole lot more out of it than if I am just sitting, waiting to be served. I get a whole lot more excited about the accomplishments of God when I am involved in the process than if I am merely an observer. I can assure you that my friends who are getting “fed” at their current church didn’t get “fed” at their former church and won’t get “fed” at any church they attend in the future UNLESS they choose to take part in the preparation of the meal.
I have taught Bible studies for almost forty years and I KNOW that the best studies occur when everyone in attendance has studied the Scripture, prayed over it, thought about its history and its current application. Conversely, when the student population has depended on Mr. Jim’s vast (cough) wealth of knowledge (get real), not much has been learned and the studies are pretty flat.
The point is that God has prepared you for service and expects you to serve Him. So do it!!!
(Now I will step off my soapbox …love ya!)
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
He Took Our Stripes
Good Morning!
Isaiah 53:4-6 (English Standard Version)
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Have you ever heard the term “whipping boy”? Here is how the term is defined on Wikipedia:
A whipping boy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, was a young boy who was assigned to a young prince and was punished when the prince misbehaved or fell behind in his schooling. Whipping boys were established in the English court during the monarchies of the 15th century and 16th centuries. They were created because the idea of the divine right of kings, which stated that kings were appointed by God, and implied that no one but the king was worthy of punishing the king’s son. Since the king was rarely around to punish his son when necessary, tutors to the young prince found it extremely difficult to enforce rules or learning.
Whipping boys were generally of high birth, and were educated with the prince since birth. Due to the fact that the prince and whipping boy grew up together since birth, they usually formed an emotional bond, especially since the prince usually did not have playmates as other children would have had. The strong bond that developed between a prince and his whipping boy dramatically increased the effectiveness of using a whipping boy as a form of punishment for a prince. The idea of the whipping boys was that seeing a friend being whipped or beaten for something that he had done wrong would be likely to ensure that the prince would not make the same mistake again.
The life of a whipping boy was usually one of sorrow and pain,[citation needed] but, sometimes, they were rewarded by the princes they served. King Charles I of England made his whipping boy, William Murray, the first Earl of Dysart in 1643 after he had been living in the palatial Ham House since 1626 under the request of King Charles I.
Whipping boys were some of the earliest "fall guys". The other parallel is the scapegoat, a practice in the early Middle East, and one referred to in the Old Testament, where one goat was sacrificed, but another was sent out to bear the burden of sins.[1] The children's book The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman, which is about a prince and his whipping boy, was the winner of the Newbery Medal in 1987. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A whipping boy was the substitute when the prince misbehaved and deserved punishment. When we read Isaiah 53, we see Jesus being described as our substitute for our sins. Sometimes we forget that the work of the cross was not about Jesus being martyred but about Jesus being sacrificed for our sins. He suffered the agony of the cross so you and I could be reconciled with God. Here’s how Paul put it:
2 Corinthians 5:21 (English Standard Version)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus accepted the punishment I deserved so that I could be made at one with God. Why would He do that? The answer is simple: He loves me. And that thought makes for a good day…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Isaiah 53:4-6 (English Standard Version)
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Have you ever heard the term “whipping boy”? Here is how the term is defined on Wikipedia:
A whipping boy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, was a young boy who was assigned to a young prince and was punished when the prince misbehaved or fell behind in his schooling. Whipping boys were established in the English court during the monarchies of the 15th century and 16th centuries. They were created because the idea of the divine right of kings, which stated that kings were appointed by God, and implied that no one but the king was worthy of punishing the king’s son. Since the king was rarely around to punish his son when necessary, tutors to the young prince found it extremely difficult to enforce rules or learning.
Whipping boys were generally of high birth, and were educated with the prince since birth. Due to the fact that the prince and whipping boy grew up together since birth, they usually formed an emotional bond, especially since the prince usually did not have playmates as other children would have had. The strong bond that developed between a prince and his whipping boy dramatically increased the effectiveness of using a whipping boy as a form of punishment for a prince. The idea of the whipping boys was that seeing a friend being whipped or beaten for something that he had done wrong would be likely to ensure that the prince would not make the same mistake again.
The life of a whipping boy was usually one of sorrow and pain,[citation needed] but, sometimes, they were rewarded by the princes they served. King Charles I of England made his whipping boy, William Murray, the first Earl of Dysart in 1643 after he had been living in the palatial Ham House since 1626 under the request of King Charles I.
Whipping boys were some of the earliest "fall guys". The other parallel is the scapegoat, a practice in the early Middle East, and one referred to in the Old Testament, where one goat was sacrificed, but another was sent out to bear the burden of sins.[1] The children's book The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman, which is about a prince and his whipping boy, was the winner of the Newbery Medal in 1987. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A whipping boy was the substitute when the prince misbehaved and deserved punishment. When we read Isaiah 53, we see Jesus being described as our substitute for our sins. Sometimes we forget that the work of the cross was not about Jesus being martyred but about Jesus being sacrificed for our sins. He suffered the agony of the cross so you and I could be reconciled with God. Here’s how Paul put it:
2 Corinthians 5:21 (English Standard Version)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus accepted the punishment I deserved so that I could be made at one with God. Why would He do that? The answer is simple: He loves me. And that thought makes for a good day…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Monday, September 27, 2010
Encouragement
Good Morning!
I am sure I have said it before but I am enjoying the study of 1st Thessalonians in our Sunday meetings. The church in Thessalonica, from all indications, was not one of those “super” churches – you know, the ones that have thousands of attendees and seemingly an unlimited budget. In fact, indications are that the church at Thessalonica was a struggling church – one undergoing a lot of stress. A number of my preacher friends understand what that means – tight budgets, discouraging results, a sense of ineffectiveness. So Paul sent Timothy to check them out – and Timothy came back with some surprising news. The church WAS having an impact!!!
Adversity isn’t always bad – in fact, adversity can build strength. The problem is that when one is close to the situation they cannot always see the positive results. Sometimes they need someone from the outside to take an objective look. And sometimes they need someone to just give them an encouraging word.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (English Standard Version)
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
In our study, the question was posed “when do you think of someone constantly”. Well, when do you? I think it is when the person is important to you. Paul is telling the people of the church in Thessalonica that he thanks God for them constantly – they are on his heart. And why? Because they got it – when Paul, Silas and Timothy shared the message of Jesus Christ, the people accepted the message as being from God.
We live in a day and age when people want to pooh pooh the word of God as being just another book written by men. Many people do not recognize the dynamic nature of this collection of 66 books. If they just took the time, they would see how it fits so closely together and would be amazed. And they would see how current it is.
The result of the belief in the message was that the word of God was at work in these people. The struggling church at Thessalonica was having a big impact in Asia Minor. Why? The church was on a major thoroughfare of the region. People passing through heard the message these people preached in word and deed – and many believed. The same thing happens today. You can be assured that God uses you dynamically when you commit to Him.
So – don’t be discouraged. God is using you…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
I am sure I have said it before but I am enjoying the study of 1st Thessalonians in our Sunday meetings. The church in Thessalonica, from all indications, was not one of those “super” churches – you know, the ones that have thousands of attendees and seemingly an unlimited budget. In fact, indications are that the church at Thessalonica was a struggling church – one undergoing a lot of stress. A number of my preacher friends understand what that means – tight budgets, discouraging results, a sense of ineffectiveness. So Paul sent Timothy to check them out – and Timothy came back with some surprising news. The church WAS having an impact!!!
Adversity isn’t always bad – in fact, adversity can build strength. The problem is that when one is close to the situation they cannot always see the positive results. Sometimes they need someone from the outside to take an objective look. And sometimes they need someone to just give them an encouraging word.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (English Standard Version)
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
In our study, the question was posed “when do you think of someone constantly”. Well, when do you? I think it is when the person is important to you. Paul is telling the people of the church in Thessalonica that he thanks God for them constantly – they are on his heart. And why? Because they got it – when Paul, Silas and Timothy shared the message of Jesus Christ, the people accepted the message as being from God.
We live in a day and age when people want to pooh pooh the word of God as being just another book written by men. Many people do not recognize the dynamic nature of this collection of 66 books. If they just took the time, they would see how it fits so closely together and would be amazed. And they would see how current it is.
The result of the belief in the message was that the word of God was at work in these people. The struggling church at Thessalonica was having a big impact in Asia Minor. Why? The church was on a major thoroughfare of the region. People passing through heard the message these people preached in word and deed – and many believed. The same thing happens today. You can be assured that God uses you dynamically when you commit to Him.
So – don’t be discouraged. God is using you…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Friday, September 24, 2010
Love Who?
Good Morning!
Matthew 5:43-48 (English Standard Version)
Love Your Enemies
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God is good to us. You might wonder why this Good Morning begins with this passage and the statement that God is good to us. Last night in our Bible study on Psalms 28, we heard David calling on God to whack his enemies – and the question was posed “where does love your enemies come into play here”. The question is valid – because we do see many references asking for God’s vengeance to come upon those who harm us. It is completely human to desire God strike back on our behalf. BUT …
Hatred is a cancer that can destroy you. Hatred takes your focus from God and from goodness and puts it on the object of hate. Jesus understood the psyche of mankind. He understood the devastating effect hatred could cause in a life. And He wants to protect us from this emotion – to give us an out.
But why tell us to love our enemies? Why not just ignore our enemies? Why pray for our enemies? Well, I see a couple of possibilities:
(1) Loving your enemies requires you to change your viewpoint. I can tell you that loving someone who had wronged me is not easy – in fact, within my own power, it is impossible. I have to call upon God to help me deal with the emotions that led to my counting someone as an enemy. In short, God and me have to have a little talk – God doing the talking, me doing the listening. These “conversations” can take some time – because I have to deal with other emotions: anger, bitterness, the desire for vengeance, and the like. But God slowly opens the door to my understanding – and helps me to see where love is possible.
(2) Praying for a person helps you to begin to value them again. All of us make mistakes in life. Some of those mistakes are grievous – causing much harm, sometimes intentionally – and sometimes unintentionally. Those who have become our enemies may have in the past been our friends – and we have permitted the unkind act or comment to impact that relationship. And we are bearing the burden of these hurt feelings. Praying for the person helps us to release the hurt feelings (can we call that forgiveness?) and to see them from a more gentle perspective.
God doesn’t want us to be eaten up with hatred. He wants us to experience the good feeling of loving one another. That is why I say God is good to us.
So, can we call on God to take vengeance on our enemies? Yes! But only if you have some … try loving them and praying for them first.
Have a blessed weekend. Happy birthday to Miss N on Sunday.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Matthew 5:43-48 (English Standard Version)
Love Your Enemies
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God is good to us. You might wonder why this Good Morning begins with this passage and the statement that God is good to us. Last night in our Bible study on Psalms 28, we heard David calling on God to whack his enemies – and the question was posed “where does love your enemies come into play here”. The question is valid – because we do see many references asking for God’s vengeance to come upon those who harm us. It is completely human to desire God strike back on our behalf. BUT …
Hatred is a cancer that can destroy you. Hatred takes your focus from God and from goodness and puts it on the object of hate. Jesus understood the psyche of mankind. He understood the devastating effect hatred could cause in a life. And He wants to protect us from this emotion – to give us an out.
But why tell us to love our enemies? Why not just ignore our enemies? Why pray for our enemies? Well, I see a couple of possibilities:
(1) Loving your enemies requires you to change your viewpoint. I can tell you that loving someone who had wronged me is not easy – in fact, within my own power, it is impossible. I have to call upon God to help me deal with the emotions that led to my counting someone as an enemy. In short, God and me have to have a little talk – God doing the talking, me doing the listening. These “conversations” can take some time – because I have to deal with other emotions: anger, bitterness, the desire for vengeance, and the like. But God slowly opens the door to my understanding – and helps me to see where love is possible.
(2) Praying for a person helps you to begin to value them again. All of us make mistakes in life. Some of those mistakes are grievous – causing much harm, sometimes intentionally – and sometimes unintentionally. Those who have become our enemies may have in the past been our friends – and we have permitted the unkind act or comment to impact that relationship. And we are bearing the burden of these hurt feelings. Praying for the person helps us to release the hurt feelings (can we call that forgiveness?) and to see them from a more gentle perspective.
God doesn’t want us to be eaten up with hatred. He wants us to experience the good feeling of loving one another. That is why I say God is good to us.
So, can we call on God to take vengeance on our enemies? Yes! But only if you have some … try loving them and praying for them first.
Have a blessed weekend. Happy birthday to Miss N on Sunday.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Storms
Good Morning!
We haven’t had too many storms lately – but I can always tell when a storm is approaching. My two dogs, Lilliput and Ladybug, are very afraid of thunder and lightning so when a storm is in the offing, they are glued to me or to Miss N. There is just something about a storm that makes you want to be close to your Master.
Many of us are facing storms in our lives. Some of the storms are of a financial nature: job loss; pay reduction; too much debt. Some of the storms are emotional: divorce; loss of the affection of a child or another loved one; loss of self esteem. And some of the storms are physical: health or accident; approaching death. Each storm may have different origins – but all storms are difficult to face alone.
I am reminded of a storm that struck the disciples. The incident happened right after Jesus spoke on the mount and healed a leper, a servant and Peter’s mom. It begins with Jesus wanting to sail over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee:
Matthew 8:23-26 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
One has to wonder why the disciples were so afraid. After all, had they not been present to hear Jesus speak to the thousands gathered on the hillside? Had they not witnessed the leper being made whole – or see the faith of the Roman centurion? Weren’t Peter and Andrew present when their mom was healed? I think they were – so why were they so frightened in the midst of the storm? But then, why are we?
Storms are a part of life. Actually, it seems like we make them focal points of life. How often to you hear people talking about the amazing weather we had before Katrina struck in 2005? Or, in the case of most of us down here in Atlanta, about the mild winters we have? No – we talk about Snow Jam – a snowstorm that occurred in 1982 and paralyzed the city for three days.
Should we be focused on the storms? I think so – because storms test where we stand. Look at what Jesus said about His disciples … “O you of little faith”. At this point in their discipleship, the disciples needed to gain a little more strength in their faith. They needed to see Jesus rise and rebuke the winds and the sea … and there be great calm. They needed to know Jesus has it all under control. We need that too!
When the storm strikes and Lilliput and Ladybug are stressed, I call them to me. I rub their heads and give them a reassuring pat and speak to them calmly, telling them everything will be okay. They depend on their master to do this for them. So do we…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
We haven’t had too many storms lately – but I can always tell when a storm is approaching. My two dogs, Lilliput and Ladybug, are very afraid of thunder and lightning so when a storm is in the offing, they are glued to me or to Miss N. There is just something about a storm that makes you want to be close to your Master.
Many of us are facing storms in our lives. Some of the storms are of a financial nature: job loss; pay reduction; too much debt. Some of the storms are emotional: divorce; loss of the affection of a child or another loved one; loss of self esteem. And some of the storms are physical: health or accident; approaching death. Each storm may have different origins – but all storms are difficult to face alone.
I am reminded of a storm that struck the disciples. The incident happened right after Jesus spoke on the mount and healed a leper, a servant and Peter’s mom. It begins with Jesus wanting to sail over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee:
Matthew 8:23-26 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
One has to wonder why the disciples were so afraid. After all, had they not been present to hear Jesus speak to the thousands gathered on the hillside? Had they not witnessed the leper being made whole – or see the faith of the Roman centurion? Weren’t Peter and Andrew present when their mom was healed? I think they were – so why were they so frightened in the midst of the storm? But then, why are we?
Storms are a part of life. Actually, it seems like we make them focal points of life. How often to you hear people talking about the amazing weather we had before Katrina struck in 2005? Or, in the case of most of us down here in Atlanta, about the mild winters we have? No – we talk about Snow Jam – a snowstorm that occurred in 1982 and paralyzed the city for three days.
Should we be focused on the storms? I think so – because storms test where we stand. Look at what Jesus said about His disciples … “O you of little faith”. At this point in their discipleship, the disciples needed to gain a little more strength in their faith. They needed to see Jesus rise and rebuke the winds and the sea … and there be great calm. They needed to know Jesus has it all under control. We need that too!
When the storm strikes and Lilliput and Ladybug are stressed, I call them to me. I rub their heads and give them a reassuring pat and speak to them calmly, telling them everything will be okay. They depend on their master to do this for them. So do we…
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Broken Spirit
Good Morning!
I know I have sung the song hundreds of times in the past. I have often referred to the song at “the Baptist Anthem” but that is unofficial. It is a song that was penned in 1939 – and was the last song that E.M Bartlett, Sr. wrote before he had a stroke and died two years later. The words are so familiar … and yet, Sunday a phrase in the second stanza of the second verse jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. The phrase was “and then I cried, Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”.
What was the author talking about? Was it a personal tragedy that led him to write these words? I don’t know. But I do know that a lot of us deal with broken spirits. We live in a world where broken hearts are common; where loneliness is all around us; where people go through the motions of living without any of the joy of life. I have good news for you … God loves you – especially when your heart is broken and your spirit is crushed. But don’t misunderstand – God doesn’t want you hurting but it is when you are hurting God becomes real. David put it like this:
Psalm 51:14-17 (English Standard Version)
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Again, look at a Psalm that talks about what God does with a broken heart:
Psalm 147:3 (English Standard Version)
3He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Folks, these are promises from God to you for your times of brokenness. These are promises that Jesus will come and heal your broken spirit. What a blessing to know that our Father, God, cares about us when we are broken – crushed – by life. How encouraging to know that God returns the joy of life to us. Several years ago, one of my babies nearly lost that joy of life – but God returned it – and today that child testifies of His goodness everyday.
Yes, there is Victory in Jesus. A great song for a good day:
Victory in Jesus
Words and Music by E.M. Bartlett
© 1939 - Administrated by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.
All rights reserved
1 Corinthians 15:57
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
God bless each of you today.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
I know I have sung the song hundreds of times in the past. I have often referred to the song at “the Baptist Anthem” but that is unofficial. It is a song that was penned in 1939 – and was the last song that E.M Bartlett, Sr. wrote before he had a stroke and died two years later. The words are so familiar … and yet, Sunday a phrase in the second stanza of the second verse jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. The phrase was “and then I cried, Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”.
What was the author talking about? Was it a personal tragedy that led him to write these words? I don’t know. But I do know that a lot of us deal with broken spirits. We live in a world where broken hearts are common; where loneliness is all around us; where people go through the motions of living without any of the joy of life. I have good news for you … God loves you – especially when your heart is broken and your spirit is crushed. But don’t misunderstand – God doesn’t want you hurting but it is when you are hurting God becomes real. David put it like this:
Psalm 51:14-17 (English Standard Version)
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Again, look at a Psalm that talks about what God does with a broken heart:
Psalm 147:3 (English Standard Version)
3He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Folks, these are promises from God to you for your times of brokenness. These are promises that Jesus will come and heal your broken spirit. What a blessing to know that our Father, God, cares about us when we are broken – crushed – by life. How encouraging to know that God returns the joy of life to us. Several years ago, one of my babies nearly lost that joy of life – but God returned it – and today that child testifies of His goodness everyday.
Yes, there is Victory in Jesus. A great song for a good day:
Victory in Jesus
Words and Music by E.M. Bartlett
© 1939 - Administrated by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.
All rights reserved
1 Corinthians 15:57
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
God bless each of you today.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Birthday Greetings
Good Morning!
Since today is my birthday, I would like to repeat again the verse I consider to be my life verse:
Galatians 2:20 (English Standard Version)
20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Breaking it down:
“I have been crucified with Christ.” - sIn ruled my life until the day Jesus Christ entered my life, cleaned me up, and set me on a new path. So the “I” in sIn – the “me” desire – was borne by my Savior, Jesus, on that miserably glorious day of crucifixion. Therefore “I” have been crucified with Christ. Hallelujah – praise God!
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” – It took me a long time but I finally got it – I am a bond servant to Jesus Christ. He is my Lord – He is my Master. My will and my selfish desires MUST be set aside to do His will and fulfill His desires – because He lives in me. This is not to say that I am perfect – no – but He is in the process of perfecting me. Again, hallelujah – praise God!
“And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” – Yes, I am still sojourning on this earth – beginning my 62nd year – looking forward to each new day with great expectation of God’s blessings for me, my family and my friends. Hey, that includes each and every one of you!!! God has richly blessed me with a plethora of friends – some I don’t even know – who pray for me, care for me, and just love me because Jesus loves them. Can I say it again? Hallelujah – praise God!
“who loved me” – What an awesome thought. Jesus looked down through history, saw me – and LOVED me. Each time I think of this, I am moved to tears – at the simple thought that Jesus loves me. Hallelujah – praise God.
“and gave Himself for me.” Not only did Jesus love me – He surrendered everything He had to redeem my soul. Yours, too. The words are too inadequate – but the meaning is true: hallelujah – praise God.
Today is a good birthday. I have to report to jury duty at 9 a.m. But our son Bryan will be in town tomorrow – we haven’t seen him since May – and that will be a good birthday present. I got a great card from my Mom – another blessing God affords me even today. My other children will touch base sometime today. And my good friend, Pastor James Cook, sent birthday greetings. Miss N is giving me some golf shoes – I already know that because I picked them out – and my golf buddies will attest that they were really needed. They better watch out – I might even drop a stroke or two. (I know, it ain’t the arrow…).
God bless each of you today.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Since today is my birthday, I would like to repeat again the verse I consider to be my life verse:
Galatians 2:20 (English Standard Version)
20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Breaking it down:
“I have been crucified with Christ.” - sIn ruled my life until the day Jesus Christ entered my life, cleaned me up, and set me on a new path. So the “I” in sIn – the “me” desire – was borne by my Savior, Jesus, on that miserably glorious day of crucifixion. Therefore “I” have been crucified with Christ. Hallelujah – praise God!
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” – It took me a long time but I finally got it – I am a bond servant to Jesus Christ. He is my Lord – He is my Master. My will and my selfish desires MUST be set aside to do His will and fulfill His desires – because He lives in me. This is not to say that I am perfect – no – but He is in the process of perfecting me. Again, hallelujah – praise God!
“And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” – Yes, I am still sojourning on this earth – beginning my 62nd year – looking forward to each new day with great expectation of God’s blessings for me, my family and my friends. Hey, that includes each and every one of you!!! God has richly blessed me with a plethora of friends – some I don’t even know – who pray for me, care for me, and just love me because Jesus loves them. Can I say it again? Hallelujah – praise God!
“who loved me” – What an awesome thought. Jesus looked down through history, saw me – and LOVED me. Each time I think of this, I am moved to tears – at the simple thought that Jesus loves me. Hallelujah – praise God.
“and gave Himself for me.” Not only did Jesus love me – He surrendered everything He had to redeem my soul. Yours, too. The words are too inadequate – but the meaning is true: hallelujah – praise God.
Today is a good birthday. I have to report to jury duty at 9 a.m. But our son Bryan will be in town tomorrow – we haven’t seen him since May – and that will be a good birthday present. I got a great card from my Mom – another blessing God affords me even today. My other children will touch base sometime today. And my good friend, Pastor James Cook, sent birthday greetings. Miss N is giving me some golf shoes – I already know that because I picked them out – and my golf buddies will attest that they were really needed. They better watch out – I might even drop a stroke or two. (I know, it ain’t the arrow…).
God bless each of you today.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Monday, September 20, 2010
Intercessory Prayer
Good Morning!
James 5:13-18 (English Standard Version)
The Prayer of Faith
13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Friday we talked about anticipatory prayer – where we pray in expectation of God’s goodness towards us. Today, let’s talk about intercessory prayer – where we are praying for one another. I took an hour or so to reorganize the prayer list. Did you realize that we have over 100 names on the prayer list that we are praying for daily? That’s a lot of folks to pray for … but well worth praying for. Intercessory prayer is good for us because it takes the focus off of the “me” and places it on our brothers and sisters of the faith and on those who have yet to come to Jesus. I think it healthy to be aware of the needs of others for several reasons – but it is best illustrated by an occurrence that I feel had a profound influence upon my youngest son.
Alberto was a tropical storm that came up through Alabama in 1994. If my memory serves me right, I was driving home from visiting Grandma Leta on the Fourth of July holiday when the rain began. It rained for the next thirty days – and not just a little bit – a whole bunch. Finally, the dam at Lake Blackshear could hold no more water and it burst, flooding Albany (pronounced “all BENNY”) Georgia – as well as surrounding areas. Macon Georgia also had flooding – but the effects of the dam break was devastating to a portion of Albany.
Life of Georgia had a district office in Albany. Most of its sales were to people who were of limited means. And many of these people lived in the flood plain. So we organized a group of folks to go to Albany to help these folks clean up and to give them a hot meal. My son David accompanied me on the trip. What he witnessed was people who had barely nothing before the flood having been left with nothing after the flood – and still praising God. When he saw the entire possession of a family in a small stack on the side of the road, he realized how blessed he was. (As did I but I had already had that experience in Louisiana several years earlier.) And he also realized how important we all are in the fabric of community – for without each other, hard times overwhelm.
When we kneel or bow to pray for another person, we surrender the “I wants” and replace them with “Lord bless”. When we take time to look at another’s heartache, body ache, circumstance or grief, we begin to realize how much God has blessed us. And we begin to understand what Jesus means when He says “love one another”. So our prayer for each other has great power both on the one who is praying and on the one who is being prayed for.
I redid the list to give it a little more structure. Some of the requests can be closed – others need to stay indefinitely. These are requests you have made – so please give us updates periodically. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for these folks.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
James 5:13-18 (English Standard Version)
The Prayer of Faith
13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Friday we talked about anticipatory prayer – where we pray in expectation of God’s goodness towards us. Today, let’s talk about intercessory prayer – where we are praying for one another. I took an hour or so to reorganize the prayer list. Did you realize that we have over 100 names on the prayer list that we are praying for daily? That’s a lot of folks to pray for … but well worth praying for. Intercessory prayer is good for us because it takes the focus off of the “me” and places it on our brothers and sisters of the faith and on those who have yet to come to Jesus. I think it healthy to be aware of the needs of others for several reasons – but it is best illustrated by an occurrence that I feel had a profound influence upon my youngest son.
Alberto was a tropical storm that came up through Alabama in 1994. If my memory serves me right, I was driving home from visiting Grandma Leta on the Fourth of July holiday when the rain began. It rained for the next thirty days – and not just a little bit – a whole bunch. Finally, the dam at Lake Blackshear could hold no more water and it burst, flooding Albany (pronounced “all BENNY”) Georgia – as well as surrounding areas. Macon Georgia also had flooding – but the effects of the dam break was devastating to a portion of Albany.
Life of Georgia had a district office in Albany. Most of its sales were to people who were of limited means. And many of these people lived in the flood plain. So we organized a group of folks to go to Albany to help these folks clean up and to give them a hot meal. My son David accompanied me on the trip. What he witnessed was people who had barely nothing before the flood having been left with nothing after the flood – and still praising God. When he saw the entire possession of a family in a small stack on the side of the road, he realized how blessed he was. (As did I but I had already had that experience in Louisiana several years earlier.) And he also realized how important we all are in the fabric of community – for without each other, hard times overwhelm.
When we kneel or bow to pray for another person, we surrender the “I wants” and replace them with “Lord bless”. When we take time to look at another’s heartache, body ache, circumstance or grief, we begin to realize how much God has blessed us. And we begin to understand what Jesus means when He says “love one another”. So our prayer for each other has great power both on the one who is praying and on the one who is being prayed for.
I redid the list to give it a little more structure. Some of the requests can be closed – others need to stay indefinitely. These are requests you have made – so please give us updates periodically. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for these folks.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Friday, September 17, 2010
Anticipatory Prayer
Good Morning!
I don’t know if you have heard of it – but I want to pray an Anticipatory Prayer today. Anticipatory prayer is when one prays in anticipation of God’s blessing already. In short, we know that God is our Father and cares about us so we live in expectation of His blessing. Here is what I would like to say:
Dear Father,
Thank You for the day to come.
I know there will be challenges that face me – but I also know that You will be with me each step of the way.
I know there will be victories that I won’t recognize until much later – but that You will patiently wait for me to get the message.
I know there will be some defeats as well – areas where I won’t meet the expectations I set for myself. Thank you for showing me that you love me in spite of my failures.
I know my every need will be provided – and some of my wants as well. Help me, Father, to be appreciative of what You provide and not to complain about the wants I don’t get.
Thank You, Father, for the person You have joined me with – she completes my life, and I am grateful.
Thank You for giving her a patient spirit that puts up with me and all my junk. I thank you for the ups and downs we will face – and for the secure knowledge that You will guide us to love one another throughout all our days.
Thank You, Father, for my children. They are all adults now – and You have done well with them.
I know that they won’t always do what You want – but that You will watch over their footsteps and return them to the right way. Thank You for protecting them – and guiding them.
Thank You, Father, for my grandchildren and great grandchild. They are a joy for Mawmaw and Pop.
Thank You for helping them grow in Your grace each day.
Thank You, Father, for my Christian brothers and sisters who pray for me and Miss N each day. Thank You for the witness of each one. Thank You for the encouragement they provide on my gloomy days.
Thank You, Father, for my job and for the people you have placed over me. Help me to be obedient to them for Your Name’s sake.
Thank You, Father, for our great nation. Watch over our leaders. Implant Your mind in each so they will lead this nation towards righteousness.
It is a good day, Lord. One You have made just for Your children to enjoy. We look forward to it with anticipation of Your coming.
In Jesus Name…
Yes, I do anticipate that our Father, God, will do all these things – not because I demand it but because He loves me. He loves you too. So pray with anticipation… have a blessed weekend.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
I don’t know if you have heard of it – but I want to pray an Anticipatory Prayer today. Anticipatory prayer is when one prays in anticipation of God’s blessing already. In short, we know that God is our Father and cares about us so we live in expectation of His blessing. Here is what I would like to say:
Dear Father,
Thank You for the day to come.
I know there will be challenges that face me – but I also know that You will be with me each step of the way.
I know there will be victories that I won’t recognize until much later – but that You will patiently wait for me to get the message.
I know there will be some defeats as well – areas where I won’t meet the expectations I set for myself. Thank you for showing me that you love me in spite of my failures.
I know my every need will be provided – and some of my wants as well. Help me, Father, to be appreciative of what You provide and not to complain about the wants I don’t get.
Thank You, Father, for the person You have joined me with – she completes my life, and I am grateful.
Thank You for giving her a patient spirit that puts up with me and all my junk. I thank you for the ups and downs we will face – and for the secure knowledge that You will guide us to love one another throughout all our days.
Thank You, Father, for my children. They are all adults now – and You have done well with them.
I know that they won’t always do what You want – but that You will watch over their footsteps and return them to the right way. Thank You for protecting them – and guiding them.
Thank You, Father, for my grandchildren and great grandchild. They are a joy for Mawmaw and Pop.
Thank You for helping them grow in Your grace each day.
Thank You, Father, for my Christian brothers and sisters who pray for me and Miss N each day. Thank You for the witness of each one. Thank You for the encouragement they provide on my gloomy days.
Thank You, Father, for my job and for the people you have placed over me. Help me to be obedient to them for Your Name’s sake.
Thank You, Father, for our great nation. Watch over our leaders. Implant Your mind in each so they will lead this nation towards righteousness.
It is a good day, Lord. One You have made just for Your children to enjoy. We look forward to it with anticipation of Your coming.
In Jesus Name…
Yes, I do anticipate that our Father, God, will do all these things – not because I demand it but because He loves me. He loves you too. So pray with anticipation… have a blessed weekend.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Breakfast Time
Good Morning!
Matthew 28:1-10 (English Standard Version)
The Resurrection
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." 8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Don’t you love breakfast? I sure do. My favorite breakfast consists of fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits, dripping with real butter and homemade jelly – scuppernong jelly like Grandma Ward used to make; salty country ham fried to perfection; grits with redeye gravy; and scrambled eggs. Azsxfdsxfgvnhj Excuse me – I had to wipe the slobber off the keyboard. Your favorite breakfast may be something different – pancakes dripping with syrup or perhaps Belgian waffles with cinnamon apples or maybe even oatmeal – strike that, I am not sure there is anyone who really likes oatmeal.
We eat breakfast at the beginning of the day to get our bodies off to the right start. Let’s look carefully at the passage above – especially the phrase “toward dawn of the first day of the week”. Our culture looks at Sunday as being the last day of the week when in fact it is the first day of the week. Scripture tells us that on the seventh day, God rested. The Ten Commandments tell Jews to keep the Sabbath day holy – meaning the last day of the week. We celebrated the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day because it is when the ladies discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead and is alive. So what significance does that have – and why am I talking about breakfast.
We BEGIN our week celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. We BEGIN our week gathering together as the ekklesia (called out ones) to encourage one another; to teach one another; to share with one another testimonies of God’s goodness to us. We have breakfast – not dinner. Now that is not to imply that we do not worship at any other time – I believe in the 24/7/365 commitment to God except on Leap Year when it’s 366. But on the first day of the week, I have the joy of being with people who love our Lord and who are committed to Him. And when I leave, I am revved up – filled to the brim – ready to tackle the week ahead.
No, Sunday isn’t the end of the week – it’s breakfast. Dinner comes later – at a banquet table that Jesus has prepared for you and me. I wonder what’s on the menu.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Matthew 28:1-10 (English Standard Version)
The Resurrection
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." 8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Don’t you love breakfast? I sure do. My favorite breakfast consists of fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits, dripping with real butter and homemade jelly – scuppernong jelly like Grandma Ward used to make; salty country ham fried to perfection; grits with redeye gravy; and scrambled eggs. Azsxfdsxfgvnhj Excuse me – I had to wipe the slobber off the keyboard. Your favorite breakfast may be something different – pancakes dripping with syrup or perhaps Belgian waffles with cinnamon apples or maybe even oatmeal – strike that, I am not sure there is anyone who really likes oatmeal.
We eat breakfast at the beginning of the day to get our bodies off to the right start. Let’s look carefully at the passage above – especially the phrase “toward dawn of the first day of the week”. Our culture looks at Sunday as being the last day of the week when in fact it is the first day of the week. Scripture tells us that on the seventh day, God rested. The Ten Commandments tell Jews to keep the Sabbath day holy – meaning the last day of the week. We celebrated the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day because it is when the ladies discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead and is alive. So what significance does that have – and why am I talking about breakfast.
We BEGIN our week celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. We BEGIN our week gathering together as the ekklesia (called out ones) to encourage one another; to teach one another; to share with one another testimonies of God’s goodness to us. We have breakfast – not dinner. Now that is not to imply that we do not worship at any other time – I believe in the 24/7/365 commitment to God except on Leap Year when it’s 366. But on the first day of the week, I have the joy of being with people who love our Lord and who are committed to Him. And when I leave, I am revved up – filled to the brim – ready to tackle the week ahead.
No, Sunday isn’t the end of the week – it’s breakfast. Dinner comes later – at a banquet table that Jesus has prepared for you and me. I wonder what’s on the menu.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Read the Instructions
Good Morning!
Proverbs 15:32 (English Standard Version)
32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
How often do you attempt to put together something without first reading the instructions? Well, if you are like me, you do it all the time only to end up having to stop, take the mess you started apart and begin again AFTER reading the instructions. Sometimes I get so impatient to have what I want right away that I ignore the very essential first step – study the instruction manual.
The writer of this Proverb understood someone like me when he wrote this proverb. Failure to read or listen to instructions usually leads to disaster. I can certainly attest to the number of times that I have made a real mess of things because I didn’t listen to instruction. Thankfully – in most instances I have been able to go back to the very start and begin again. But wouldn’t I have been better off listening to start with?
God is careful to give us instructions for living. Sometimes we chafe under the instruction because they don’t go along with our desires. But God has our best interest in His mind – and when we take time to listen and to heed Him, we will find our lives much more fulfilling.
So, let’s listen to this proverb and follow instructions and listen carefully to criticism.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Proverbs 15:32 (English Standard Version)
32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
How often do you attempt to put together something without first reading the instructions? Well, if you are like me, you do it all the time only to end up having to stop, take the mess you started apart and begin again AFTER reading the instructions. Sometimes I get so impatient to have what I want right away that I ignore the very essential first step – study the instruction manual.
The writer of this Proverb understood someone like me when he wrote this proverb. Failure to read or listen to instructions usually leads to disaster. I can certainly attest to the number of times that I have made a real mess of things because I didn’t listen to instruction. Thankfully – in most instances I have been able to go back to the very start and begin again. But wouldn’t I have been better off listening to start with?
God is careful to give us instructions for living. Sometimes we chafe under the instruction because they don’t go along with our desires. But God has our best interest in His mind – and when we take time to listen and to heed Him, we will find our lives much more fulfilling.
So, let’s listen to this proverb and follow instructions and listen carefully to criticism.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Walk Worthy
Good Morning!
A couple of news articles grabbed my attention in Sunday’s AJC Metro section. The first was about Cobb County converting almost 1/7th of the funds it collected for street light maintenance to other uses in the General Fund. That’s no small amount, by the way, almost $6 million. When questioned about the misuse of funds, Cobb’s response was that the ordinance doesn’t say anything about not using the funds for another purpose. I don’t understand that statement – the county is collecting funds for a service but using it for other purposes???
The second article was about the partisan financial support given to Kasim Reed in what is supposed to be a nonpartisan election. The excuse there was that the other party did it too. Funny, my Mother would never let me get away with an excuse of “they did it first” or “they did it too”. Her response was “if they were to jump off a cliff would you do likewise”. I thought I would be smart one time and say “of course I would”. Mom never got mad often – but Lord help you if she did. Needless to say I never repeated my mistake.
You might ask what these two news articles are doing in a Good Morning. Well, these are just a couple of reminders that we are to walk worthy of the high calling of Christ Jesus. Our “yes” should mean “yes” and our “no” should mean “no”. People should be able to rely upon our word – not only because we are striving to be honest but because we represent Jesus Christ. It pains me to hear people call Christians hypocrites – and be right. No doubt we are human and are going to make mistakes in life – but if we are honest with ourselves and with our fellow man, we can be forgiven. It is when we choose to try to cover up that we cause the harm.
I wish there were better answers given by those officials. Funds designated for lights shouldn’t be spent on other things – because what happens when the lights need repairing and there are not funds. (More taxes…) And just because one party is less than honest does not justify the other party being dishonest as well. People deserve the truth. We bear the Truth – Jesus Christ. He lives in us and our lives reflect Him. So let us purpose to walk worthy of Christ today and every day.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
A couple of news articles grabbed my attention in Sunday’s AJC Metro section. The first was about Cobb County converting almost 1/7th of the funds it collected for street light maintenance to other uses in the General Fund. That’s no small amount, by the way, almost $6 million. When questioned about the misuse of funds, Cobb’s response was that the ordinance doesn’t say anything about not using the funds for another purpose. I don’t understand that statement – the county is collecting funds for a service but using it for other purposes???
The second article was about the partisan financial support given to Kasim Reed in what is supposed to be a nonpartisan election. The excuse there was that the other party did it too. Funny, my Mother would never let me get away with an excuse of “they did it first” or “they did it too”. Her response was “if they were to jump off a cliff would you do likewise”. I thought I would be smart one time and say “of course I would”. Mom never got mad often – but Lord help you if she did. Needless to say I never repeated my mistake.
You might ask what these two news articles are doing in a Good Morning. Well, these are just a couple of reminders that we are to walk worthy of the high calling of Christ Jesus. Our “yes” should mean “yes” and our “no” should mean “no”. People should be able to rely upon our word – not only because we are striving to be honest but because we represent Jesus Christ. It pains me to hear people call Christians hypocrites – and be right. No doubt we are human and are going to make mistakes in life – but if we are honest with ourselves and with our fellow man, we can be forgiven. It is when we choose to try to cover up that we cause the harm.
I wish there were better answers given by those officials. Funds designated for lights shouldn’t be spent on other things – because what happens when the lights need repairing and there are not funds. (More taxes…) And just because one party is less than honest does not justify the other party being dishonest as well. People deserve the truth. We bear the Truth – Jesus Christ. He lives in us and our lives reflect Him. So let us purpose to walk worthy of Christ today and every day.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Monday, September 13, 2010
Right Motives
Good Morning!
I am loving our study in 1st Thessalonians – and, though we are taking a one week hiatus, our next session appears to be really good.
Several days ago I mentioned how sometimes we get down on ourselves because our ministry just doesn’t seem to be producing the fruit we think it should. The church at Thessalonica apparently wasn’t a mega church – but, as Paul points out in chapter 1 – it had a great impact on people passing through this major city on the Egnatian Way – such that Paul had heard of its impact. Here’s our study chapter from Sunday:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (English Standard Version)
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
When Paul arrived at Thessalonica, he was in pretty rough shape. He had been beaten and jailed in Philippi – and then forced to leave town. So when he begins talking about his ministry there, he points out that his first impression wasn’t too impressive – but the people were drawn to the message of Christ. Why? I believe it was because his motives were the right motives to reach the people. Look at how he explains it to the Thessalonians:
(1) They boldly declared the gospel of God in spite of conflict. In our world today, Christians who boldly speak the gospel of Christ are often criticized or treated with disregard.
(2) They were honest and straightforward. They did not resort to conforming with the whims of the world to reach people. They stated the claims of Christ clearly. We must do the same.
(3) They did not seek fame or fortune or make unreasonable demands of the people. They worked hard and provided for themselves – and were an example for the Thessalonians.
(4) They shared of themselves – they built relationships rather than a religion.
(5) They exhorted, encouraged and charged the Thessalonians to walk worthy of God. They set a standard and lived up to it and expected the Thessalonians to do so as well.
Paul, Silas and Timothy have thrown down the gauntlet for you and me. The letter to the Thessalonians could just as easily be a letter to the readers of Mr. Jim’s Good Morning. We are witnesses to God’s working in our lives – and we, too, can become the witness that Paul was. Today would be a good day to start.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
I am loving our study in 1st Thessalonians – and, though we are taking a one week hiatus, our next session appears to be really good.
Several days ago I mentioned how sometimes we get down on ourselves because our ministry just doesn’t seem to be producing the fruit we think it should. The church at Thessalonica apparently wasn’t a mega church – but, as Paul points out in chapter 1 – it had a great impact on people passing through this major city on the Egnatian Way – such that Paul had heard of its impact. Here’s our study chapter from Sunday:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (English Standard Version)
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
When Paul arrived at Thessalonica, he was in pretty rough shape. He had been beaten and jailed in Philippi – and then forced to leave town. So when he begins talking about his ministry there, he points out that his first impression wasn’t too impressive – but the people were drawn to the message of Christ. Why? I believe it was because his motives were the right motives to reach the people. Look at how he explains it to the Thessalonians:
(1) They boldly declared the gospel of God in spite of conflict. In our world today, Christians who boldly speak the gospel of Christ are often criticized or treated with disregard.
(2) They were honest and straightforward. They did not resort to conforming with the whims of the world to reach people. They stated the claims of Christ clearly. We must do the same.
(3) They did not seek fame or fortune or make unreasonable demands of the people. They worked hard and provided for themselves – and were an example for the Thessalonians.
(4) They shared of themselves – they built relationships rather than a religion.
(5) They exhorted, encouraged and charged the Thessalonians to walk worthy of God. They set a standard and lived up to it and expected the Thessalonians to do so as well.
Paul, Silas and Timothy have thrown down the gauntlet for you and me. The letter to the Thessalonians could just as easily be a letter to the readers of Mr. Jim’s Good Morning. We are witnesses to God’s working in our lives – and we, too, can become the witness that Paul was. Today would be a good day to start.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Friday, September 10, 2010
Love Your Enemies
Good Morning!
I can hear Mother saying it even today: “two wrongs don’t make a right”. I am sure that saying will stay with me until the Lord calls me home to glory. And the precept is so true. You don’t make right a wrong by doing another wrong. An eye for an eye just leaves two people half blind and incapable of depth perception.
As I was reading the comments surrounding the proposed burning of the Koran by the church in Gainesville Florida, I was struck by the number of people who justified that childish action by saying that Muslims burn Bibles and harm Christians and the like. Well, yes, they do. We were told to expect that – why is it such a surprise? Is that all they can do to us? Bibles can burn – the Word of God still stands. Christians can be tortured and murdered – and the claims of Christ still remain. Don’t we realize that God’s in control. He protects us even at the time we leave this earth. For us to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord Jesus.
The answer to the action of the heathen is not to burn his books or harm him in any way. No – here’s what Jesus says about dealing with those who use you:
Matthew 5:38-48 (English Standard Version)
Retaliation
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
“Love your enemies…?” “…Pray for those who persecute you…?” What!!??? Jesus is leading us to understand that hatred is like a poison to your soul. Your mind becomes fixated on the object of your hate – and soon all you can think about is how to get even. 9/11/2001 remains a very painful memory for all of us – but will hating Muslims change one thing about that day? Will burning the Koran make the memory disappear? The answer is “no” – all this hatred will lead to is even more hatred – more anger.
Where is justice for those who murder our friends and loved ones? Where is justice for those who burn God’s Word? Justice remains in the hands of our mighty, one true God. I believe those radical Islamic jihadist will face God and His wrath. He will take care of them – and He will take care of their victims.
Jesus told us to love our enemies – a hard swallow for many of us. But that is what we should do because He told us to do so. And in doing so, He will provide us comfort for the hurt that lingers – because He loves us and wants us to love as He does.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
I can hear Mother saying it even today: “two wrongs don’t make a right”. I am sure that saying will stay with me until the Lord calls me home to glory. And the precept is so true. You don’t make right a wrong by doing another wrong. An eye for an eye just leaves two people half blind and incapable of depth perception.
As I was reading the comments surrounding the proposed burning of the Koran by the church in Gainesville Florida, I was struck by the number of people who justified that childish action by saying that Muslims burn Bibles and harm Christians and the like. Well, yes, they do. We were told to expect that – why is it such a surprise? Is that all they can do to us? Bibles can burn – the Word of God still stands. Christians can be tortured and murdered – and the claims of Christ still remain. Don’t we realize that God’s in control. He protects us even at the time we leave this earth. For us to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord Jesus.
The answer to the action of the heathen is not to burn his books or harm him in any way. No – here’s what Jesus says about dealing with those who use you:
Matthew 5:38-48 (English Standard Version)
Retaliation
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
“Love your enemies…?” “…Pray for those who persecute you…?” What!!??? Jesus is leading us to understand that hatred is like a poison to your soul. Your mind becomes fixated on the object of your hate – and soon all you can think about is how to get even. 9/11/2001 remains a very painful memory for all of us – but will hating Muslims change one thing about that day? Will burning the Koran make the memory disappear? The answer is “no” – all this hatred will lead to is even more hatred – more anger.
Where is justice for those who murder our friends and loved ones? Where is justice for those who burn God’s Word? Justice remains in the hands of our mighty, one true God. I believe those radical Islamic jihadist will face God and His wrath. He will take care of them – and He will take care of their victims.
Jesus told us to love our enemies – a hard swallow for many of us. But that is what we should do because He told us to do so. And in doing so, He will provide us comfort for the hurt that lingers – because He loves us and wants us to love as He does.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Faith and Works
Good Morning!
When I was in the Group Underwriting department at Life of Georgia in the early 1970s, one of my co-workers was a fellow by the name of Roger Floren. I had recently accepted Jesus Christ – and I still had that “new Christian fervor” – you know, when you tell everybody about Jesus and haven’t yet been doused by the Cold Water Committee. Anyway, I was telling Roger that all one had to do was accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Roger then asked me to explain the passage below.
James 2:14-26 (English Standard Version)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
I was stumped … but only briefly. We tend to forget that the Christian is an example to the world. Having faith is great – and it is the only essential for salvation – BUT the faith one has is evidenced through the works that come out of the committed life. In other words, my faith redeems me and as a result, good works occur.
Take Abraham as the example – which James did. Abraham had faith in God. Sometimes it was a stretch for Abraham to have faith in God. Imagine not being able to sire a child for year after year – and then being told when you are almost one hundred that you will – and will through your spouse who is well past child bearing age. But Abraham believed – and Isaac was born (as well as Ishmael – but that’s another story). And then imagine God telling you to offer up that precious child (who was almost an adult) as a sacrifice. Abraham followed through – doing what God asked – trusting God and acting on that trust in God.
How about our faith today? Is our faith evidenced by the works that occur in our lives? Do we – the just – live by faith? I know that is a tough question to ask on a Thursday morning … but what better time to take stock. I want to know if my life produces the fruit that lets people know that Christ is alive in me? That is a rhetorical question – you do not need to answer for me – but I need to answer for myself.
Another point to make before I close, these “works” have to come from the right motivation. Let me see if I can explain. If I am sharing Christ with a friend but my motivation for sharing Christ is to get the proverbial feather in my cap – that is not a work of faith, in my opinion. Why? Because my motivation is not the salvation of my friend but the feather in my cap. On the other hand, if I am sharing Christ with my friend because I know the consequences of facing eternity without Christ – and I don’t want my friend to be in that situation – then the work I am doing has the motivation that is correct. Will I get the feather anyway? Probably – but that would not be the reason for sharing.
Well, old Roger left Life of Georgia before I could make the point. He was an interesting character – but one who helped me grow a little more in Christ. I thank God for folks like Roger who challenged me to dig a little deeper into God’s Word for His answer.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
When I was in the Group Underwriting department at Life of Georgia in the early 1970s, one of my co-workers was a fellow by the name of Roger Floren. I had recently accepted Jesus Christ – and I still had that “new Christian fervor” – you know, when you tell everybody about Jesus and haven’t yet been doused by the Cold Water Committee. Anyway, I was telling Roger that all one had to do was accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Roger then asked me to explain the passage below.
James 2:14-26 (English Standard Version)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
I was stumped … but only briefly. We tend to forget that the Christian is an example to the world. Having faith is great – and it is the only essential for salvation – BUT the faith one has is evidenced through the works that come out of the committed life. In other words, my faith redeems me and as a result, good works occur.
Take Abraham as the example – which James did. Abraham had faith in God. Sometimes it was a stretch for Abraham to have faith in God. Imagine not being able to sire a child for year after year – and then being told when you are almost one hundred that you will – and will through your spouse who is well past child bearing age. But Abraham believed – and Isaac was born (as well as Ishmael – but that’s another story). And then imagine God telling you to offer up that precious child (who was almost an adult) as a sacrifice. Abraham followed through – doing what God asked – trusting God and acting on that trust in God.
How about our faith today? Is our faith evidenced by the works that occur in our lives? Do we – the just – live by faith? I know that is a tough question to ask on a Thursday morning … but what better time to take stock. I want to know if my life produces the fruit that lets people know that Christ is alive in me? That is a rhetorical question – you do not need to answer for me – but I need to answer for myself.
Another point to make before I close, these “works” have to come from the right motivation. Let me see if I can explain. If I am sharing Christ with a friend but my motivation for sharing Christ is to get the proverbial feather in my cap – that is not a work of faith, in my opinion. Why? Because my motivation is not the salvation of my friend but the feather in my cap. On the other hand, if I am sharing Christ with my friend because I know the consequences of facing eternity without Christ – and I don’t want my friend to be in that situation – then the work I am doing has the motivation that is correct. Will I get the feather anyway? Probably – but that would not be the reason for sharing.
Well, old Roger left Life of Georgia before I could make the point. He was an interesting character – but one who helped me grow a little more in Christ. I thank God for folks like Roger who challenged me to dig a little deeper into God’s Word for His answer.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Called to Communicate, Not Criticize
New Prayer Need:
Donna Johnson, daughter of Charles and Alma; two surgeries today, September 8th – high risk due to previous surgeries.
Good Morning!
I have been thinking about the church in Gainesville Florida that is calling for Christians to burn a Koran on 9/11. I disagree with this very strongly.
Our call is not to criticize but to communicate. We are the bearers of the message of reconciliation – not correction. God is more than capable to apply the pressures that lead to correction. Our task is to present a message that draws men and women to Christ. Here’s what Jesus said:
John 12:27-36 (English Standard Version)
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."
Does burning a Koran lift Jesus up? No! Burning Korans merely serves to anger those who are already turned off to the message of Jesus – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Burning Korans will allow those who are in opposition to the Gospel an opportunity to misconstrue the Message.
I remember an incident that is recorded for us in Scripture. Some religious leaders wanted to test Jesus and His adherence to the Law – so they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. According to the Law, the woman should have been put to death by stoning – so too should have the man, by the way. What did Jesus tell the religious leaders? Do you remember?
John 8:2-11 (English Standard Version)
2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."
“Let him who is without sin should cast the first stone…” How many stones were tossed? None – because the only one there worthy to cast a stone was Jesus Himself. After all the religious leaders had skulked away, what did Jesus ask the woman? And what did He tell her to do?
Righteousness is not found in our actions but rather in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Think on that for a minute.
Isaiah correctly stated that our personal righteousness is equivalent to soiled rags. Paul tells us that none of us are righteous – not even one. The one and only righteous person is Jesus Christ – and in Him is our only opportunity to be reconciled with God. It is not what we do but what He did that makes us righteous before God. We can be heterosexual straight – and still not be righteous. We can believe in the right to life (and I do) and miss the mark. We can attend, fast, and tithe until we are blue in the face – and still not be at one with God … if we are not trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Lift Jesus up, folks. Don’t point out another’s shortcomings – point to His love for those of us who aren’t perfect. Make Jesus the focal point – not some action that is sinful. Are sins wrong? Yes – but Jesus died for those sins – and that’s the message we need to give to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Donna Johnson, daughter of Charles and Alma; two surgeries today, September 8th – high risk due to previous surgeries.
Good Morning!
I have been thinking about the church in Gainesville Florida that is calling for Christians to burn a Koran on 9/11. I disagree with this very strongly.
Our call is not to criticize but to communicate. We are the bearers of the message of reconciliation – not correction. God is more than capable to apply the pressures that lead to correction. Our task is to present a message that draws men and women to Christ. Here’s what Jesus said:
John 12:27-36 (English Standard Version)
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."
Does burning a Koran lift Jesus up? No! Burning Korans merely serves to anger those who are already turned off to the message of Jesus – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Burning Korans will allow those who are in opposition to the Gospel an opportunity to misconstrue the Message.
I remember an incident that is recorded for us in Scripture. Some religious leaders wanted to test Jesus and His adherence to the Law – so they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. According to the Law, the woman should have been put to death by stoning – so too should have the man, by the way. What did Jesus tell the religious leaders? Do you remember?
John 8:2-11 (English Standard Version)
2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."
“Let him who is without sin should cast the first stone…” How many stones were tossed? None – because the only one there worthy to cast a stone was Jesus Himself. After all the religious leaders had skulked away, what did Jesus ask the woman? And what did He tell her to do?
Righteousness is not found in our actions but rather in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Think on that for a minute.
Isaiah correctly stated that our personal righteousness is equivalent to soiled rags. Paul tells us that none of us are righteous – not even one. The one and only righteous person is Jesus Christ – and in Him is our only opportunity to be reconciled with God. It is not what we do but what He did that makes us righteous before God. We can be heterosexual straight – and still not be righteous. We can believe in the right to life (and I do) and miss the mark. We can attend, fast, and tithe until we are blue in the face – and still not be at one with God … if we are not trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Lift Jesus up, folks. Don’t point out another’s shortcomings – point to His love for those of us who aren’t perfect. Make Jesus the focal point – not some action that is sinful. Are sins wrong? Yes – but Jesus died for those sins – and that’s the message we need to give to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Impact of Sin
Good Morning!
Psalm 51:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
For those of you who participate in the daily Bible reading, this is one of the selections for today. You will note that David wrote this right after Nathan pointed his bony finger at him and declared that he was the man who had committed the sin. And you might also note that David was not exactly right when he said “against you, you only, have I sinned...”. The fact of the matter is that David’s sin involved a number of people – Uriah, who was murdered at David’s direction; Bathsheba who David impregnated; the child who was condemned as a result of David’s sin.
The facts are that when we sin, the impact of the sin is not only against God but against many people. A person who is unfaithful in marriage doesn’t just hurt the spouse – but also the person with whom the adultery is committed and their spouse, if any; any children involved. The hurt just keeps going. The same can be said for many other sins of commission – other people are going to get hurt. And so, when Paul tells us to walk circumspectly, we need to pay attention – because the damage can be extensive.
Of course, I know this bunch of readers don’t have any problem – or maybe we do. If we do, there is forgiveness available. If you read the rest of Psalm 51, you will see David’s plea to have a new heart created in him. We have that new heart – we received it when Jesus became our Lord and Savior.
It is a good day for asking God’s guidance and forgiveness. I’m sure He’s listening!
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Psalm 51:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
For those of you who participate in the daily Bible reading, this is one of the selections for today. You will note that David wrote this right after Nathan pointed his bony finger at him and declared that he was the man who had committed the sin. And you might also note that David was not exactly right when he said “against you, you only, have I sinned...”. The fact of the matter is that David’s sin involved a number of people – Uriah, who was murdered at David’s direction; Bathsheba who David impregnated; the child who was condemned as a result of David’s sin.
The facts are that when we sin, the impact of the sin is not only against God but against many people. A person who is unfaithful in marriage doesn’t just hurt the spouse – but also the person with whom the adultery is committed and their spouse, if any; any children involved. The hurt just keeps going. The same can be said for many other sins of commission – other people are going to get hurt. And so, when Paul tells us to walk circumspectly, we need to pay attention – because the damage can be extensive.
Of course, I know this bunch of readers don’t have any problem – or maybe we do. If we do, there is forgiveness available. If you read the rest of Psalm 51, you will see David’s plea to have a new heart created in him. We have that new heart – we received it when Jesus became our Lord and Savior.
It is a good day for asking God’s guidance and forgiveness. I’m sure He’s listening!
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Monday, September 6, 2010
A Word of Encouragement
Good Morning!
1 Thessalonians 1 (New International Version)
1Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.[b]
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith
2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Footnotes:
a. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
b. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Some early manuscripts you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
We began a study of the letters yesterday morning. It is believed that the first letter that Paul wrote was to the church at Thessalonica. Paul begins his letter by sending a word of encouragement to the church. Because of the opposition to the Gospel in the city (Paul was basically run out of town), Paul was afraid that the church would be faltering. So he sent Timothy to check up on the church – and Timothy’s report was extremely positive. So Paul begins by sending a word of encouragement.
You know, we Christians should encourage each other a little – or a lot – more. Too often, we are focused on a person’s shortcomings rather than their growth achievements. Is “tsk tsk” easier to utter than “praise God”? A kind word of encouragement could really help a brother to try even harder.
Look at how Paul encouraged the church folks at Thessalonica:
(1) “I’m praying for YOU.” I believe Paul prayed for the people continuously. I don’t think his statement was a generality but rather a statement of fact. Praying for one another is important.
(2) “We remember your work produced by faith – your labor prompted by love – your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith produces good works. Love (agape’) spurs us to reach out for others. And the hope we have comes from the endurance we have built up as we have seen God work in our lives.
(3) “You are chosen”. Paul isn’t talking about election here – but about how God has set this church apart for Him. We, too, are chosen. God sees us and loves us as His children. (See John 1:12 for a good reference). Paul points out that the church at Thessalonica didn’t just hear the words but had a clear understanding which resulted in a display of God’s power and the Holy Spirit. So too can we go beyond lip service to God service – because we are chosen.
(4) You became imitators of us … and your reputation has spread beyond your mission field to all parts of the earth. For a church struggling to make it, these words are like a balm for a hurt. You know, in our current world, there are churches that are on the brink of shutting down – there are good Christians on the brink of giving up because they do not ever hear an encouraging word. They question their effectiveness – their call – their value.
Today might be a good day to give a pastor, a church worker, a struggling saint a call and let them know you are praying for them – that they make a difference for you. It will make their day – and yours too.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
1 Thessalonians 1 (New International Version)
1Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.[b]
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith
2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Footnotes:
a. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
b. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Some early manuscripts you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
We began a study of the letters yesterday morning. It is believed that the first letter that Paul wrote was to the church at Thessalonica. Paul begins his letter by sending a word of encouragement to the church. Because of the opposition to the Gospel in the city (Paul was basically run out of town), Paul was afraid that the church would be faltering. So he sent Timothy to check up on the church – and Timothy’s report was extremely positive. So Paul begins by sending a word of encouragement.
You know, we Christians should encourage each other a little – or a lot – more. Too often, we are focused on a person’s shortcomings rather than their growth achievements. Is “tsk tsk” easier to utter than “praise God”? A kind word of encouragement could really help a brother to try even harder.
Look at how Paul encouraged the church folks at Thessalonica:
(1) “I’m praying for YOU.” I believe Paul prayed for the people continuously. I don’t think his statement was a generality but rather a statement of fact. Praying for one another is important.
(2) “We remember your work produced by faith – your labor prompted by love – your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith produces good works. Love (agape’) spurs us to reach out for others. And the hope we have comes from the endurance we have built up as we have seen God work in our lives.
(3) “You are chosen”. Paul isn’t talking about election here – but about how God has set this church apart for Him. We, too, are chosen. God sees us and loves us as His children. (See John 1:12 for a good reference). Paul points out that the church at Thessalonica didn’t just hear the words but had a clear understanding which resulted in a display of God’s power and the Holy Spirit. So too can we go beyond lip service to God service – because we are chosen.
(4) You became imitators of us … and your reputation has spread beyond your mission field to all parts of the earth. For a church struggling to make it, these words are like a balm for a hurt. You know, in our current world, there are churches that are on the brink of shutting down – there are good Christians on the brink of giving up because they do not ever hear an encouraging word. They question their effectiveness – their call – their value.
Today might be a good day to give a pastor, a church worker, a struggling saint a call and let them know you are praying for them – that they make a difference for you. It will make their day – and yours too.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Friday, September 3, 2010
A Good Name
Good Morning!
Proverbs 22:1 (English Standard Version)
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
A friend of mine shared with me that even though she has never been late for a payment, the credit card companies are reducing her available credit to the amount on the card. Why is that happening? Well, we are in a financial crisis – and credit card companies are using the broad brush approach to limiting their risk. How? Well, they look at a person’s debt – and not at their payment history – and determine whether or not they should extend additional credit. So much for a good name – right?
The best place for a Christian is to be without debt – but I can tell you from experience that many if not most Christians are saddled with a lot of debt. So how should we respond when the bad old credit card company treats us as though we are deadbeats? The answer is to continue to pay your debt even if it hurts. Your integrity is at stake. Your witness is in danger. So as hard as it is, keep paying. Keep this thought in mind: at the end of the day, you are the one who will value your good name.
Labor Day weekend is upon us. Please be careful if you are driving anywhere. And have a lot of fun.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Proverbs 22:1 (English Standard Version)
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
A friend of mine shared with me that even though she has never been late for a payment, the credit card companies are reducing her available credit to the amount on the card. Why is that happening? Well, we are in a financial crisis – and credit card companies are using the broad brush approach to limiting their risk. How? Well, they look at a person’s debt – and not at their payment history – and determine whether or not they should extend additional credit. So much for a good name – right?
The best place for a Christian is to be without debt – but I can tell you from experience that many if not most Christians are saddled with a lot of debt. So how should we respond when the bad old credit card company treats us as though we are deadbeats? The answer is to continue to pay your debt even if it hurts. Your integrity is at stake. Your witness is in danger. So as hard as it is, keep paying. Keep this thought in mind: at the end of the day, you are the one who will value your good name.
Labor Day weekend is upon us. Please be careful if you are driving anywhere. And have a lot of fun.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Children
Good Morning!
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”- Proverbs 22:6
The above was yesterday’s “verse of the day” – but nothing more true could be said than this. Dad’s, God has given to us the privilege of raising His children that He gave to us. And it truly is a privilege to watch a child grow into adulthood. And it is even a greater joy to see a son or a daughter become a parent and begin to repeat the process.
But that is not to say there aren’t rocky times. I have said in the past that one can barely live with a kid from age eleven to age sixteen. The reason is that the child is becoming a young adult – going from a person who is dependent to a person who is responsible. And it ain’t easy … because they aren’t yet fully responsible. But it is a process that they must go through or else they never learn to be responsible.
So that surly, argumentative, stinky, malcontent that used to be precious and precocious may make you want to buy a case of duct tape today – but someday, he or she will make you proud. So … hang in there … give them a little room to grow … catch them when they fall … and train them up in the way they should go.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”- Proverbs 22:6
The above was yesterday’s “verse of the day” – but nothing more true could be said than this. Dad’s, God has given to us the privilege of raising His children that He gave to us. And it truly is a privilege to watch a child grow into adulthood. And it is even a greater joy to see a son or a daughter become a parent and begin to repeat the process.
But that is not to say there aren’t rocky times. I have said in the past that one can barely live with a kid from age eleven to age sixteen. The reason is that the child is becoming a young adult – going from a person who is dependent to a person who is responsible. And it ain’t easy … because they aren’t yet fully responsible. But it is a process that they must go through or else they never learn to be responsible.
So that surly, argumentative, stinky, malcontent that used to be precious and precocious may make you want to buy a case of duct tape today – but someday, he or she will make you proud. So … hang in there … give them a little room to grow … catch them when they fall … and train them up in the way they should go.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
POOCH???!!!
Good Morning!
They say a good ol’ Southern boy can get along with a good wife and a faithful dog even in bad times. Last week was one of those “bad times for this ol’ Southern boy. First, my TV went on the fritz. Then a trailer I pay for went missing. And then Miss N got sick. Just a bad week … at least I still had my dog, right, pooch? Pooch?!!!
Just kidding. The dogs are okay - just happy to have Miss N home. And she did come home last night about 5:30 or 6:00. She is doing pretty good – tired from the ordeal – which is to be expected. I am sure she will rebound quickly.
James 1:2-4 (English Standard Version)
Testing of Your Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Footnotes:
a. James 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church; also verses 16, 19
As some of you know, I write some of the Good Mornings the day before. Sunday, around noon, I wrote the Good Morning for Monday. We were facing a test and perhaps surgery. And Norma was still saddled with that gastric tube that was so uncomfortable. Sunday afternoon the surgeon said he was going to clamp the gastric tube off to see what happened – answered prayer?
Monday, when Miss Norma had tolerated not having her stomach pumped for 12+ hours, the doctors decided the test was not needed – and removed the gastric tube – and gave her food for the first time since last Tuesday. Was this more answered prayer?
Yesterday she was much better – almost back to normal. And around three o’clock, Norma called me at work to say she was being released. Do I believe that your prayers were answered before they were even spoken? You betcha!
We all go through trials in life – with the overriding purpose of us learning to trust God for our every day needs. And knowing that God cares allows us to have confidence even in the middle of a mess. Several thoughts come to mind for me: first, God is good and loves me – you, too. Second, God has surrounded me and Norma with good friends who pray for us continuously – and, in times of trouble, even more diligently. Third, in the middle of the mess, God gives us encouragement in our memories of Scripture, hymns, and past experiences to give us peace.
Of course, I am glad the Miss Norma part of the mess is over – and the other stuff will resolve in time. A special thank you to each one of you for each prayer thought you gave for us this past week.
So life is good because God is good – all the time.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
They say a good ol’ Southern boy can get along with a good wife and a faithful dog even in bad times. Last week was one of those “bad times for this ol’ Southern boy. First, my TV went on the fritz. Then a trailer I pay for went missing. And then Miss N got sick. Just a bad week … at least I still had my dog, right, pooch? Pooch?!!!
Just kidding. The dogs are okay - just happy to have Miss N home. And she did come home last night about 5:30 or 6:00. She is doing pretty good – tired from the ordeal – which is to be expected. I am sure she will rebound quickly.
James 1:2-4 (English Standard Version)
Testing of Your Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Footnotes:
a. James 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church; also verses 16, 19
As some of you know, I write some of the Good Mornings the day before. Sunday, around noon, I wrote the Good Morning for Monday. We were facing a test and perhaps surgery. And Norma was still saddled with that gastric tube that was so uncomfortable. Sunday afternoon the surgeon said he was going to clamp the gastric tube off to see what happened – answered prayer?
Monday, when Miss Norma had tolerated not having her stomach pumped for 12+ hours, the doctors decided the test was not needed – and removed the gastric tube – and gave her food for the first time since last Tuesday. Was this more answered prayer?
Yesterday she was much better – almost back to normal. And around three o’clock, Norma called me at work to say she was being released. Do I believe that your prayers were answered before they were even spoken? You betcha!
We all go through trials in life – with the overriding purpose of us learning to trust God for our every day needs. And knowing that God cares allows us to have confidence even in the middle of a mess. Several thoughts come to mind for me: first, God is good and loves me – you, too. Second, God has surrounded me and Norma with good friends who pray for us continuously – and, in times of trouble, even more diligently. Third, in the middle of the mess, God gives us encouragement in our memories of Scripture, hymns, and past experiences to give us peace.
Of course, I am glad the Miss Norma part of the mess is over – and the other stuff will resolve in time. A special thank you to each one of you for each prayer thought you gave for us this past week.
So life is good because God is good – all the time.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
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