Matthew 6:25-34
Ok, so a few months ago I was sitting on my couch watching TV when I received this text message on my phone. "Help, I'm working on a sermon for tomorrow, help me answer this question 'if you only had one month to live what would you do?'" So I began to type that I would probably take my family on the greatest vacation that they have ever experienced in their lives, that I would spend two weeks doing that. Then I would come home and make sure that everything was in order so that my family would never have to stress about anything. Then I would take the last week to completely spend time with my family and sharing every moment that I could with them. I remember thinking to myself "man, would that be hard news to take that I only had one month to live." About an hour later, I received this text message, "God did not promise any of us tomorrow, so why not live today like that!" WOW!!!! Did that hit home or what. I could help but think I have never received a text message that challenged me. This really hit home, I spend so much time worrying about the different things of this world, when I should be out living like there is no tomorrow. Which this all make perfect sense when we read Matthew 6:25-34, where scripture tells us not to worry and God points to the different things of the world, and how He provides for them, so how much more does he care for us. I guess what I am trying to say is live today like it's your last so that when your last comes you will have no regrets about what you did yesterday! So I close with this question, If you had only one month to live what would you do?
IN HIM
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The God of the Universe cares for me?
Matthew 8:23-27; Matthew 6:25-34
Let me just say that after reading a chapter in Mark Atteberry's book "Free Refill", I have been officially challenged. All to often in my life, I find things going just great then it seems as if everything goes sour quick. I've been a little stressed lately with lots of work stuff going on, and some other things that are going on that are just putting me under a lot of stress, not to mention my lack of ability to say "no" to people, which continues to fill my calendar. Let me just say that as far as the ability to say "no" to people I am getting better. It just seems as if life continues to beat me and people in general up. I believe this has a lot to do with the way that we read our Bibles and our view of God at different points in our lives. Let me explain what I mean.
First, I believe that we feel a lot more stress or the stress that we feel is a lot more consuming due to the lack of scripture that we are currently taking into our lives. So yes you can make the obvious connection. There has not been a lot of time for Chris to do personal study therefore it has not been done. The crazy part is that I've been in my Bible a lot, but the key is that its to write some lesson or answer a question for someone, I have not taken the time as "religiously" as I should to sit down and read the scriptures for my own good. Which for me as a minister is a slippery slope because after a day I can look back and feel like all I've done is read the Bible but in reality, I've done nothing for my own spiritual growth.
Second, I believe that the second things that adds to our stress level is our view of God. Now let me just say that I know who God is and I believe that He is the perfect creator who is continually in control of my life and sent Jesus His one and only son to this earth to die for my sins, and through belief, confession, repentance, baptism, and living a faithful life I can be assured of the eternal promise of heaven. I say all that to say that sometimes we forget just what all that means and stands for. Next time you get a chance google pictures of the earth from space and realize that you are one the earth somewhere. Then google pictures of the milky way galakcy which earth, sun, and moon are a part of are realize that somewhere in that galaxy is our earth and somewhere on that earth is you. The God who created all that in it's perfect way, even knows the very number of hairs on your head. That's the God that you and I serve and love, and we allow a little stress at work to bother us. God can make sure that our galgacy is perfectly created and functioning in its own special way, that same God is there to take care of you and I and as stated in Matthew 8 calm the storms of our lives.
So, I believe it's time that we turn back to the scripture and make reading God's word a daily ritual, and please remeber that this plea is coming from a man who struggles with this himself. It's also time that we take a look at how big God is and how much he cares for each one of His creations (which is us by the way).
Let me just say that after reading a chapter in Mark Atteberry's book "Free Refill", I have been officially challenged. All to often in my life, I find things going just great then it seems as if everything goes sour quick. I've been a little stressed lately with lots of work stuff going on, and some other things that are going on that are just putting me under a lot of stress, not to mention my lack of ability to say "no" to people, which continues to fill my calendar. Let me just say that as far as the ability to say "no" to people I am getting better. It just seems as if life continues to beat me and people in general up. I believe this has a lot to do with the way that we read our Bibles and our view of God at different points in our lives. Let me explain what I mean.
First, I believe that we feel a lot more stress or the stress that we feel is a lot more consuming due to the lack of scripture that we are currently taking into our lives. So yes you can make the obvious connection. There has not been a lot of time for Chris to do personal study therefore it has not been done. The crazy part is that I've been in my Bible a lot, but the key is that its to write some lesson or answer a question for someone, I have not taken the time as "religiously" as I should to sit down and read the scriptures for my own good. Which for me as a minister is a slippery slope because after a day I can look back and feel like all I've done is read the Bible but in reality, I've done nothing for my own spiritual growth.
Second, I believe that the second things that adds to our stress level is our view of God. Now let me just say that I know who God is and I believe that He is the perfect creator who is continually in control of my life and sent Jesus His one and only son to this earth to die for my sins, and through belief, confession, repentance, baptism, and living a faithful life I can be assured of the eternal promise of heaven. I say all that to say that sometimes we forget just what all that means and stands for. Next time you get a chance google pictures of the earth from space and realize that you are one the earth somewhere. Then google pictures of the milky way galakcy which earth, sun, and moon are a part of are realize that somewhere in that galaxy is our earth and somewhere on that earth is you. The God who created all that in it's perfect way, even knows the very number of hairs on your head. That's the God that you and I serve and love, and we allow a little stress at work to bother us. God can make sure that our galgacy is perfectly created and functioning in its own special way, that same God is there to take care of you and I and as stated in Matthew 8 calm the storms of our lives.
So, I believe it's time that we turn back to the scripture and make reading God's word a daily ritual, and please remeber that this plea is coming from a man who struggles with this himself. It's also time that we take a look at how big God is and how much he cares for each one of His creations (which is us by the way).
Friday, September 12, 2008
Is this me?
Isaiah 26:9
Ok, today's thought should be kinda brief but I believe that you will get the point and this should be challenging at least it was to me as I read this on my daily Bible box of my Facebook.
Isaiah 26:9--"My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness."
Wow, do I yearn for God? Does my spirit long for God? Well I can answer that question quite simply as NO, not always. Here is where I am, yes sometimes I am really on fire for God and I believe that I yearn and long for God, but I'm not always like that. I know that this may be hard to read, it's even hard to write that I'm not always sitting in my office reading my Bible and praying, or seeking some lost person out to share the gospel with them. I know where this comes from. Sin has completely destroyed our relationship with God who is Holy and perfect, therefore because we continue to look to the world to provide some since of satisfaction or excitement then we fail to yearn and long after God. Now by no means am I saying that God is not satisfying or exciting, I believe that there is nothing more satisfying or exciting than God to our spirit, but so often we allow our flesh to think for us.
Ok, on to the second part of the verse, not much to say about this. When God's judgements come to the earth then we definitely learn righteousness. We don't always like learning righteousness and it doesn't always put us in a great position but it is righteous none the less.
So today this verse has turned into a prayer for my life, that my soul would yearn for God today, and that my spirit would long for God as well. I guess this could be a prayer for each and every day that the yearning and longing would continue to grow stronger and stronger.
Ok, today's thought should be kinda brief but I believe that you will get the point and this should be challenging at least it was to me as I read this on my daily Bible box of my Facebook.
Isaiah 26:9--"My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness."
Wow, do I yearn for God? Does my spirit long for God? Well I can answer that question quite simply as NO, not always. Here is where I am, yes sometimes I am really on fire for God and I believe that I yearn and long for God, but I'm not always like that. I know that this may be hard to read, it's even hard to write that I'm not always sitting in my office reading my Bible and praying, or seeking some lost person out to share the gospel with them. I know where this comes from. Sin has completely destroyed our relationship with God who is Holy and perfect, therefore because we continue to look to the world to provide some since of satisfaction or excitement then we fail to yearn and long after God. Now by no means am I saying that God is not satisfying or exciting, I believe that there is nothing more satisfying or exciting than God to our spirit, but so often we allow our flesh to think for us.
Ok, on to the second part of the verse, not much to say about this. When God's judgements come to the earth then we definitely learn righteousness. We don't always like learning righteousness and it doesn't always put us in a great position but it is righteous none the less.
So today this verse has turned into a prayer for my life, that my soul would yearn for God today, and that my spirit would long for God as well. I guess this could be a prayer for each and every day that the yearning and longing would continue to grow stronger and stronger.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Magic with a Message
Matthew 14:22-33
Ok, so it's been a while since I wrote but summer is officially over and it's time for me to get back on track.
I like to do this thing called "magic with a message". "Magic with a Message" is a magic show with a little gospel message that goes along with each trick or illusion. Let me just say that there have been some who tried to copy this show (DAVE McCants tries to do something called Inspirational Illusions). One of the only illusions that I know and my favorite is a card trick where I turn all of the cards into the five of hearts, well it seems that way at least. "What does this have to do with God,?" you ask. Well here it is, sometimes I feel as if God is no where around. Have you ever felt like that? I know that He is always right here with me but sometimes it feels as if God is no where to be found. I realize that it is my own sinful depravity that makes me feel this way and it is only because I have stepped away from God for a few moments. That it is because I have chosen not to seek God at that time in my life. I couldn't help but to think about Matthew 14 where Jesus comes to the disciples on the water and Peter gets to walk on water. You remember the story I'm sure. As Jesus walks out to the boat which is being tossed in the storm the disciples are scared because that believe that they are seeing a ghost. Then Jesus tells them "It is I" which after reading a commentary or two and looking at the original Greek I see that this statement that is used "it is I" is the same phrase which literally means "I AM". Sometimes I believe that you and I get mixed up and don't realize that God is with us each moment of our lives. It is not just some illusion. Jesus didn't just tricked us and say He would be there but he really isn't. Jesus comes to you and I in our times when we look out into our world and lives and say "Jesus is it really you?" Jesus speaks back to us and say "IT IS I!" Jesus wants to be with us, will we let Him in the boat?
Ok, so it's been a while since I wrote but summer is officially over and it's time for me to get back on track.
I like to do this thing called "magic with a message". "Magic with a Message" is a magic show with a little gospel message that goes along with each trick or illusion. Let me just say that there have been some who tried to copy this show (DAVE McCants tries to do something called Inspirational Illusions). One of the only illusions that I know and my favorite is a card trick where I turn all of the cards into the five of hearts, well it seems that way at least. "What does this have to do with God,?" you ask. Well here it is, sometimes I feel as if God is no where around. Have you ever felt like that? I know that He is always right here with me but sometimes it feels as if God is no where to be found. I realize that it is my own sinful depravity that makes me feel this way and it is only because I have stepped away from God for a few moments. That it is because I have chosen not to seek God at that time in my life. I couldn't help but to think about Matthew 14 where Jesus comes to the disciples on the water and Peter gets to walk on water. You remember the story I'm sure. As Jesus walks out to the boat which is being tossed in the storm the disciples are scared because that believe that they are seeing a ghost. Then Jesus tells them "It is I" which after reading a commentary or two and looking at the original Greek I see that this statement that is used "it is I" is the same phrase which literally means "I AM". Sometimes I believe that you and I get mixed up and don't realize that God is with us each moment of our lives. It is not just some illusion. Jesus didn't just tricked us and say He would be there but he really isn't. Jesus comes to you and I in our times when we look out into our world and lives and say "Jesus is it really you?" Jesus speaks back to us and say "IT IS I!" Jesus wants to be with us, will we let Him in the boat?
Friday, August 8, 2008
Focus
Matthew 14:22-32
Wow, it has been a long summer! It feels like I have been away from home more than I have been at home this summer. With all of the students going back to school now I should have some free time to relax and begin the planning process so that I can do it all over again next summer. I believe that youth ministers are the greatest people on the planet! Well enough of that let me share some things with you today!
I can't help but to think about my own spiritual life and see how easy it is to lose focus on what is important in life. God should and is number one in life, He should always come first. Then it would be easy to say that our families should come next, then the church. I believe that this does not always happen and we lose focus on what is going on in our worlds. I know for myself this summer maybe I have put camp and the youth group ahead of my family, so for the record I'm sorry to my family for not being at home a little more than I was. I hope to make it up to them by spending some quality time at home now. I believe that it is so easy for us to lose our focus on what is important. I couldn't help but to remember the story of Peter and the other disciples out in the boat when Jesus comes out to them walking on the water. Peter what an amazing man jumps out of the boat and begins to walk on the water because he is completely focused on Jesus. Then in the twinkling of an eye he begins to sink because he gets distracted by the wind, waves, and storms around him. Well this probably sums up your life and definitely sums up my life. It seems as if one moment I am completely focused on God then the next moment something is distracting me and I completely lose focus on what is important. I believe that if we continually fill ourselves with God's word that it is easier to stay focused on Him, so this is what I am trying to do. You should give it a try as well!
Trying to stay FOCUSED!
Chris
Wow, it has been a long summer! It feels like I have been away from home more than I have been at home this summer. With all of the students going back to school now I should have some free time to relax and begin the planning process so that I can do it all over again next summer. I believe that youth ministers are the greatest people on the planet! Well enough of that let me share some things with you today!
I can't help but to think about my own spiritual life and see how easy it is to lose focus on what is important in life. God should and is number one in life, He should always come first. Then it would be easy to say that our families should come next, then the church. I believe that this does not always happen and we lose focus on what is going on in our worlds. I know for myself this summer maybe I have put camp and the youth group ahead of my family, so for the record I'm sorry to my family for not being at home a little more than I was. I hope to make it up to them by spending some quality time at home now. I believe that it is so easy for us to lose our focus on what is important. I couldn't help but to remember the story of Peter and the other disciples out in the boat when Jesus comes out to them walking on the water. Peter what an amazing man jumps out of the boat and begins to walk on the water because he is completely focused on Jesus. Then in the twinkling of an eye he begins to sink because he gets distracted by the wind, waves, and storms around him. Well this probably sums up your life and definitely sums up my life. It seems as if one moment I am completely focused on God then the next moment something is distracting me and I completely lose focus on what is important. I believe that if we continually fill ourselves with God's word that it is easier to stay focused on Him, so this is what I am trying to do. You should give it a try as well!
Trying to stay FOCUSED!
Chris
Monday, July 7, 2008
Welcome Back!
Wow, what a summer it has been already. I know that I have not written in a long time. I have been out of town for that past couple of weeks, so it is time to get back to work. I have missed being able to keep up with this thing as I feel as if I'm really accomplishing something when I write down stuff. I believe that this is the greatest way to journal on the planet as I love technology which most of you probably knew that judging from the amount of cell phones that I have owned, oh and I type a lot better than I write. If you are struggling with a way to journal I would challenge you to try this! Well I must run for now, probably something more a little later.
IN HIM,
IN HIM,
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day
Ok, I haven't written a lot lately! I have been extremely busy! The busyness continues today as I have been at the office since 7:00 am and will be leaving for two weeks of camp right after Church. But then again I know that you all feel my pain. I wanted to leave this week with just a little thought!
Someone (my mom) wrote me a text message saying "when I see you with your boys I know that you are the greatest dad ever." I began to think about that. My first thought was that I cannot be the greatest dad ever because I feel like my dad was probably the greatest dad ever. Then I thought about some of the disagreements that my dad and I had and figured that he probably was not the greatest dad ever, not because we had disagreements but just knowing his life and where he came from (this goes for disqualifying me as well, as my life has not been perfect). Matthew 23:9--"And don't address anyone here on earth as Father for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father." God is the only one able to be called Father due to who He is. So I hope that all of you who have procreated will have a great Father's Day and remember your true Father in heaven.
Someone (my mom) wrote me a text message saying "when I see you with your boys I know that you are the greatest dad ever." I began to think about that. My first thought was that I cannot be the greatest dad ever because I feel like my dad was probably the greatest dad ever. Then I thought about some of the disagreements that my dad and I had and figured that he probably was not the greatest dad ever, not because we had disagreements but just knowing his life and where he came from (this goes for disqualifying me as well, as my life has not been perfect). Matthew 23:9--"And don't address anyone here on earth as Father for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father." God is the only one able to be called Father due to who He is. So I hope that all of you who have procreated will have a great Father's Day and remember your true Father in heaven.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Way It Is
Jeremiah 11
Jeremiah went out on a limb and had to tell the people the message that God had given him. The message, a simple one that the people were to obey God.
Jeremiah 11:8--"But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.'"
After Jeremiah proclaims this message the people get hostile and plot against Jeremiah, fortunately, Jeremiah had learned to take a bold stand for the Lord even in the face of opposition. I believe that there are some times in life that we need to stop beating around the bush and tell people the way it is. Why is it in the Church we can't call a spade a spade?, or point out what people are doing is wrong? Trust me I have had enough times in my life where I could have used someone telling me just the way that it is, and show me that God still loves and cares about me but He does call me to quit doing whatever it is that is taking me away from His covenant. Maybe we should start telling it the way that it is and like Jeremiah just learn to be bold in the face of opposition.
IN HIM,
Jeremiah went out on a limb and had to tell the people the message that God had given him. The message, a simple one that the people were to obey God.
Jeremiah 11:8--"But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.'"
After Jeremiah proclaims this message the people get hostile and plot against Jeremiah, fortunately, Jeremiah had learned to take a bold stand for the Lord even in the face of opposition. I believe that there are some times in life that we need to stop beating around the bush and tell people the way it is. Why is it in the Church we can't call a spade a spade?, or point out what people are doing is wrong? Trust me I have had enough times in my life where I could have used someone telling me just the way that it is, and show me that God still loves and cares about me but He does call me to quit doing whatever it is that is taking me away from His covenant. Maybe we should start telling it the way that it is and like Jeremiah just learn to be bold in the face of opposition.
IN HIM,
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Stick Makers
Jeremiah 10
After reading Jeremiah 10 I couldn't help but to think of all things that we put in God's place. I believe in my own life there are some things that stay that I am always fighting and then at other times there are things that come and go that take my attention away from God. Recently the men of our Church did a prayer walk together and we talked about the static on a T.V. and how our lives are filled with so much other stuff that we fail to be able to slow down and see God. We fail to realize that all those things that we put in God's place will never last.
Jeremiah 10 (message)--"Their gods are frauds--dead sticks, deadwood gods, tasteless jokes. When the fires of judgment come, they'll be ashes."
You and I can be like the Israelites and continue to be stick makers but we must realize that God will destroy all those stick gods! Are you making a stick today?
IN HIM ,
After reading Jeremiah 10 I couldn't help but to think of all things that we put in God's place. I believe in my own life there are some things that stay that I am always fighting and then at other times there are things that come and go that take my attention away from God. Recently the men of our Church did a prayer walk together and we talked about the static on a T.V. and how our lives are filled with so much other stuff that we fail to be able to slow down and see God. We fail to realize that all those things that we put in God's place will never last.
Jeremiah 10 (message)--"Their gods are frauds--dead sticks, deadwood gods, tasteless jokes. When the fires of judgment come, they'll be ashes."
You and I can be like the Israelites and continue to be stick makers but we must realize that God will destroy all those stick gods! Are you making a stick today?
IN HIM ,
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Jeremiah 9
As I continue to work my way through Jeremiah (which I hope that some of you are as well), I am continually amazed at how Israel has the same problems that you and I deal with. The people have become a vile people who seek other gods and do whatever it is that satisfies them for the time being. The people pursue those things that may make them famous or huge in the worlds eyes, but they fail to realize that while God is concerned about their achievements that their achievements are not the ultimate goal.
Jeremiah 9:23-24--"This is what the LORD says: Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
I believe that John Maxwell got it right in his new Leadership Bible: p.920 There are two types of things:
The Ultimate
1. God is the Source.
2. He provides a life.
3. Spiritual things are the end.
The Immediate
1. The others are a resource.
2. These provide a living.
3. Material things are a means to an end.
I need to do the immediate things but in doing the immediate make sure that I don't forget the ultimate!
IN HIM,
Jeremiah 9:23-24--"This is what the LORD says: Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
I believe that John Maxwell got it right in his new Leadership Bible: p.920 There are two types of things:
The Ultimate
1. God is the Source.
2. He provides a life.
3. Spiritual things are the end.
The Immediate
1. The others are a resource.
2. These provide a living.
3. Material things are a means to an end.
I need to do the immediate things but in doing the immediate make sure that I don't forget the ultimate!
IN HIM,
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Nation That Wouldn't Obey God
Jeremiah 7
Wow, I believe that the title says it all. Here in Jeremiah's day the people would not obey God and I would say that we are in the same situation (myself included). God gives Jeremiah a message to give to the people about how they are acting and when I read this today it really hit me hard. Let me just share a part of it with you.
Jeremiah 7 (selection from the Message)
"Get smart! Your leader are handing you a pack of lies, and you're swallowing them! Use your heads! Do you think you can rob and murder, have sex with the neighborhood wives, tell lies nonstop, worship the local gods, and buy every novel religious commodity on the market--and then march into this Temple, set apart for my worship, and say, 'We're safe!' thinking that the place itself gives you a license to go on with all this outrageous sacrilege? A cave full of criminals! Do you think you can turn this Temple, set apart for my worship, into something like that? Well, think again. I've got eyes in my head. I can see what's going on." God's Decree!
Well I believe that sums it up for me. Why is it that we think that just because we walk into some Church building that we are going to be different or that God doesn't notice what we do. it's awesome how the Bible is so relevant to us today!!!
IN HIM,
Wow, I believe that the title says it all. Here in Jeremiah's day the people would not obey God and I would say that we are in the same situation (myself included). God gives Jeremiah a message to give to the people about how they are acting and when I read this today it really hit me hard. Let me just share a part of it with you.
Jeremiah 7 (selection from the Message)
"Get smart! Your leader are handing you a pack of lies, and you're swallowing them! Use your heads! Do you think you can rob and murder, have sex with the neighborhood wives, tell lies nonstop, worship the local gods, and buy every novel religious commodity on the market--and then march into this Temple, set apart for my worship, and say, 'We're safe!' thinking that the place itself gives you a license to go on with all this outrageous sacrilege? A cave full of criminals! Do you think you can turn this Temple, set apart for my worship, into something like that? Well, think again. I've got eyes in my head. I can see what's going on." God's Decree!
Well I believe that sums it up for me. Why is it that we think that just because we walk into some Church building that we are going to be different or that God doesn't notice what we do. it's awesome how the Bible is so relevant to us today!!!
IN HIM,
Monday, April 28, 2008
Matthew 23:1-7
In this passage we see Jesus talking to the religious leaders of His day and telling them what they are doing wrong and how they have made this church thing all bad. That they only want to be seen for what they do but they do not live out the rules and regulations that they put on every one else.
I want to leave a few questions for discussion this week!
What is Church to you?
Why do you come to Church?
What is the difference between religion and God?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
IN HIM <><
I want to leave a few questions for discussion this week!
What is Church to you?
Why do you come to Church?
What is the difference between religion and God?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
IN HIM <><
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
About Me!
Ok today's post is some random thoughts that have been going through my head from different things that have happen in my life over the past couple of weeks. It is funny to me how God works. God used me to talk to this lady in our Church about baptism and then God used another one of our members to talk to her as he came from the same background. I really got to see in the past couple of weeks how I plant, someone else waters and God makes it grow.
Second, we (Lake Christian Church) just had our first annual Men's Retreat. It was awesome all of the guys that went, came in with open hearts and open minds, and it was just neat to see a group of men get together and have a good time but also be able to be really challenged by God's word. We talked about a lot about concerns and influences. We all have a great deal of concerns in our life dealing with all sorts of things, but we have a limited amount of influence. I believe that we could have almost an unlimited amount on influence as well but we allow our concerns to take over therefore limiting our influence. I hope that this week you will be challenged to look at your influence for Christ and how are you limiting it by getting caught up in your concerns.
IN HIM <><
Second, we (Lake Christian Church) just had our first annual Men's Retreat. It was awesome all of the guys that went, came in with open hearts and open minds, and it was just neat to see a group of men get together and have a good time but also be able to be really challenged by God's word. We talked about a lot about concerns and influences. We all have a great deal of concerns in our life dealing with all sorts of things, but we have a limited amount of influence. I believe that we could have almost an unlimited amount on influence as well but we allow our concerns to take over therefore limiting our influence. I hope that this week you will be challenged to look at your influence for Christ and how are you limiting it by getting caught up in your concerns.
IN HIM <><
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Matthew 7:13-23
In this passage we read about "The Narrow Gate." I really like what the NLT (New Living Translation) says "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way." I believe that all to often we fail to see hell as a real place. We like to tell ourselves that "everyone is good and that all people are going to heaven, especially because we have a loving God." Let me just be honest with you for a second, not everyone is going to heaven, and the God that I serve has made it quite clear that if YOU chose to disobey Him then hell is a very real place of torment and that will be your eternal destiny if YOU so chose. I believe that part that we get wrong all to often is that we would rather be the judge than the servant. It amazes me that we as humans feel that we can judge someone else, when most of the time we are not even close to doing what we ourselves are suppose to be doing. Pretty funny when you think about it! God has asked that we "love one another". Its funny that the thing that God says we have not part in (judging people) we want the biggest part of and the thing that God says we are to do (love one another) we want no part of. I have come to the conclusion that we are completely messed up!!!!!
IN HIM <><
IN HIM <><
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Marriage and Christianity
Ok, so what you are about to read I took from the "Bridge" handout that Brian (our minister) put in your bulletin a couple of weeks ago. I believe that this will help you in the way that things work as far as salvation, especially since we have been talking about this a lot in the past couple of weeks. I hope that this helps! Please if you have any questions please call me or if it is more comfortable for you leave comments and we will chat!
COVENANT OF MARRIAGE
This relationship begins with a special kind of love that says, "I've found the one I've been looking for."
This love responds by...
Deciding to submit myself to the other's best interest.
"You first"
Telling others of the decision made.
Wedding Ceremony
*Giving the oath of allegiance
*An end and a beginning
*Leaving the single life for a shared life.
Now, you can't just sit back and do nothing! You need to get to know your mate better and better. Te depth and quality of the relationship will be determined by the amount of effort exerted at this point.
COVENANT WITH CHRIST
This relationship begins with a faith that says, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
This faith responds by...
Deciding to submit myself to Jesus' best interest; repentance.
"You First"
Telling others of the decision made; public confession.
Baptism is to the covenant of Christ what the wedding is to the covenant of marriage:
*The oath of allegiance
*An end and a beginning
*Leaving the "self" life for a shared life.
Now, you can't just sit back and do nothing! You need to get to know God better and better. The depth and quality of the relationship will be determined by the amount of effort exerted at this point.
IN HIM <><
COVENANT OF MARRIAGE
This relationship begins with a special kind of love that says, "I've found the one I've been looking for."
This love responds by...
Deciding to submit myself to the other's best interest.
"You first"
Telling others of the decision made.
Wedding Ceremony
*Giving the oath of allegiance
*An end and a beginning
*Leaving the single life for a shared life.
Now, you can't just sit back and do nothing! You need to get to know your mate better and better. Te depth and quality of the relationship will be determined by the amount of effort exerted at this point.
COVENANT WITH CHRIST
This relationship begins with a faith that says, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
This faith responds by...
Deciding to submit myself to Jesus' best interest; repentance.
"You First"
Telling others of the decision made; public confession.
Baptism is to the covenant of Christ what the wedding is to the covenant of marriage:
*The oath of allegiance
*An end and a beginning
*Leaving the "self" life for a shared life.
Now, you can't just sit back and do nothing! You need to get to know God better and better. The depth and quality of the relationship will be determined by the amount of effort exerted at this point.
IN HIM <><
Thursday, April 3, 2008
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17--"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
As most of you know we have been going through the 3:16 study by Max Lucado. Why is it that our world is so messed up? Why do 3rd graders come up with plans to harm their teachers? Why do men fly planes in to buildings filled with people? Why do people shoot at cars on the interstate? Maybe because they have not been changed into new creations?
As I look at 2 Corinthians 5:17 I can't help but to think about what an amazing thing God does with people. God takes all people and allows them to come to Him and be a part of His family as long as they follow the rules or guidelines (I'm not sure which of those words I like better for this application). Any way as messed up as I am with all the problems that I have God still allows me to work in His service and be a part of His family.
Let me share this statement from the study guide 3:16--"We inadvertently get it wrong when we say that we invited Jesus Christ into our lives. This suggests that he took up residence in the areas we assigned him. Maybe we allotted him Sundays, and we give him fifteen minutes to fix any problem we can't handle. This isn't real salvation! We don't invite Jesus into our lives; he invites us into his purpose. When we understand this nuance, we are ready to experience the life-changing power of God."
I guess the real question is do I allow God to change every area of my life every minute or do I continue to hold somethings back from God in order to experience the pleasures of the flesh? This is not a hard questions to answer I continue to hold things back from God, how about you? Do you hold parts of your life back from God?
As most of you know we have been going through the 3:16 study by Max Lucado. Why is it that our world is so messed up? Why do 3rd graders come up with plans to harm their teachers? Why do men fly planes in to buildings filled with people? Why do people shoot at cars on the interstate? Maybe because they have not been changed into new creations?
As I look at 2 Corinthians 5:17 I can't help but to think about what an amazing thing God does with people. God takes all people and allows them to come to Him and be a part of His family as long as they follow the rules or guidelines (I'm not sure which of those words I like better for this application). Any way as messed up as I am with all the problems that I have God still allows me to work in His service and be a part of His family.
Let me share this statement from the study guide 3:16--"We inadvertently get it wrong when we say that we invited Jesus Christ into our lives. This suggests that he took up residence in the areas we assigned him. Maybe we allotted him Sundays, and we give him fifteen minutes to fix any problem we can't handle. This isn't real salvation! We don't invite Jesus into our lives; he invites us into his purpose. When we understand this nuance, we are ready to experience the life-changing power of God."
I guess the real question is do I allow God to change every area of my life every minute or do I continue to hold somethings back from God in order to experience the pleasures of the flesh? This is not a hard questions to answer I continue to hold things back from God, how about you? Do you hold parts of your life back from God?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Isaiah 40:18-22
Here in the book of Isaiah, Isaiah writes about the people abandoning God to worship Idols. He explains how the rich had crafted Idols out of gold and precious medals but even the poor had started crafting their own idols out of wood and other things because they could not afford the precious medals. God lets us know that he created everything for us and yet they and we fail to worship Him. I believe that verse 26 is very important to this thought.
Isaiah 40:26--"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hose one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and might strength, not one of them is missing."
God knows each and every one of the starts by name how much more do you think that he knows you? I believe that the components of nature can be a constant reminder of how much God cares about us. Event though we realize that God loves and cares about each and every one of us we still like the Israelites fail to follow God and we end up following something else in this world, I guess you could say that we invent our own idols. Let me leave you with two questions for today.
1. Why do we abandon God and pursue worship of meaningless things?
2. What things do we worship instead of God?
IN HIM <><
Isaiah 40:26--"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hose one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and might strength, not one of them is missing."
God knows each and every one of the starts by name how much more do you think that he knows you? I believe that the components of nature can be a constant reminder of how much God cares about us. Event though we realize that God loves and cares about each and every one of us we still like the Israelites fail to follow God and we end up following something else in this world, I guess you could say that we invent our own idols. Let me leave you with two questions for today.
1. Why do we abandon God and pursue worship of meaningless things?
2. What things do we worship instead of God?
IN HIM <><
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter
Well today is Easter! Easter is one of the biggest Holidays of the year, and rightfully so. I mean Jesus did raise from the dead and show victory over death. Who else can make that claim? My point exactly. I guess I am a little concerned that we don't live like Jesus raised from the dead each and every day, or do we? People get excited about Jesus around Easter and I guess I'm just wondering how we can keep the excitement that comes with Easter all year round. Tomorrow is not Easter but I plan to live like Jesus conquered death tomorrow. I want people to be excited about what Jesus did for them. Jesus went to cross for you and I. He chose to die so that we might have "life and have it to the full". What a challenge Jesus gives us to live each day as if it where our last with the excitement of knowing that Jesus died for us!
Now, that is something to be excited about. I hope that you have a Happy Easter and you will live today like it will be your last, and if you wake up tomorrow that you will take that challenge on again!
One not I forgot to mention in the last post that you are more than welcome to leave comments on the blog, maybe even a question I believe that this blog can be a place that we can learn from each other and grow!
IN HIM <><
Now, that is something to be excited about. I hope that you have a Happy Easter and you will live today like it will be your last, and if you wake up tomorrow that you will take that challenge on again!
One not I forgot to mention in the last post that you are more than welcome to leave comments on the blog, maybe even a question I believe that this blog can be a place that we can learn from each other and grow!
IN HIM <><
Friday, March 21, 2008
Events
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to let you know about some upcoming events! Saturday, March 22 is our annual Easter Egg Hunt at the church make sure you plan to attend.
Also next Friday, March 28 we will be having a K-5th grade lock in at church. Please come and bring a friend. Drop off is 7 p.m. and the cost is $2. I hope to see all of you here!
Well I have to run it has been a very busy day, and the day is not over yet as I will be stuffing Easter eggs for the next couple of hours!
IN HIM <><
I wanted to let you know about some upcoming events! Saturday, March 22 is our annual Easter Egg Hunt at the church make sure you plan to attend.
Also next Friday, March 28 we will be having a K-5th grade lock in at church. Please come and bring a friend. Drop off is 7 p.m. and the cost is $2. I hope to see all of you here!
Well I have to run it has been a very busy day, and the day is not over yet as I will be stuffing Easter eggs for the next couple of hours!
IN HIM <><
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New Stuff!
Ok, so the Lake Christian Church web site is up and running so if you are visiting this blog from our web site WELCOME!!!! As the youth minister at L.C.C. I strive to challenge our students in lots of ways. So I will be posting devotional thought for the students on this blog I hope that the students as well as any person who reads it will be challenged and enjoy!
IN HIM <><
IN HIM <><
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Dishonest
Genesis 12:10-20
I read this today about Abram and Sarai going to Egypt and Abram tells Sarai to tell the Egyptians that he is her brother so they will treat him well. So this is what she does and sure enough the Egyptians treat him well because of her then Pharaoh takes her as his wife and "serious diseases" we inflected on Pharaoh because of this. So Pharaoh tells Abram and Sarai to leave with everything that they have. To me I see it interesting to see that even Abram had a sin that nagged at him. He had this problem with dishonesty and we would see it continue down his family line. It's funny how we as people look at everyone different once we know what their sin is. We will find some way to make someone else's sin a lot worse than our very own. I believe that part that we fail to realize is that it is not our job to judge in the first place, but it is our job to forgive. I have said this before but let me reiterate why is it that the thing we are to have a part in (forgiveness) we want no part of, and the thing that God says have nothing to do with (judgement) we want to do all the time. I hope today that you will look at your life and see what you are doing. Are you doing the thing God calls you to do? or are you doing the very thing that God says is not your job?
Later,
Chris
I read this today about Abram and Sarai going to Egypt and Abram tells Sarai to tell the Egyptians that he is her brother so they will treat him well. So this is what she does and sure enough the Egyptians treat him well because of her then Pharaoh takes her as his wife and "serious diseases" we inflected on Pharaoh because of this. So Pharaoh tells Abram and Sarai to leave with everything that they have. To me I see it interesting to see that even Abram had a sin that nagged at him. He had this problem with dishonesty and we would see it continue down his family line. It's funny how we as people look at everyone different once we know what their sin is. We will find some way to make someone else's sin a lot worse than our very own. I believe that part that we fail to realize is that it is not our job to judge in the first place, but it is our job to forgive. I have said this before but let me reiterate why is it that the thing we are to have a part in (forgiveness) we want no part of, and the thing that God says have nothing to do with (judgement) we want to do all the time. I hope today that you will look at your life and see what you are doing. Are you doing the thing God calls you to do? or are you doing the very thing that God says is not your job?
Later,
Chris
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Flood!
Ok, so I just got done reading Genesis 6 where God called Noah to build the ark. Wow, what an amazing task that was at hand for Noah. This reading really hit home with me today. As we think about Noah and all that he did with the ark. Noah was a farmer by trade as scripture says that he was "a man of the soil." I often wonder what it must have been like in the town that Noah lived in. It was probably a lot like the town that I live in (Fluvanna), small town where things are pretty simple but the people who live here are complex and do a variety of things with their lives. People who live here are doctors, lawyers, construction workers, school teacher, preachers, and students in school. I cannot help but to wonder how it must have been as people began to talk about what Noah was building. The people must have laughed and hurled jokes at him, but Noah continued to build until one day it started to rain (man I was able to fit that in again). That's how it is in our lives we go different places and do different things and people may laugh at us or hurl jokes at us because we are Christians, but I believe that if we live out our faith like we are called to do in the book of Hebrews then people will start to catch on and the explosiveness of Christianity will spread like wild fire. I believe that for far too long we (including me) have said and acted one way on Sunday and then go and do what we want to do every other day of the week. I believe that some people think that it's alright to do what you want during the week, when I believe that if we are "souled" out to Christ that it would effect every aspect of our lives. I don't know maybe I'm on my soap box but I am ready for people to be what they say. If you are not a Christian and you live and say that then I have no problem with that, at least I know who and what you are and have a starting point to work with you, but people who claim to be Christ followers and yet don't even begin to TRY to act like it something is wrong with that. I don't know let me know what you think!
Trying to Grow with You,
Chris
Trying to Grow with You,
Chris
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Garden
Ok before I get started let me give you the prayer request from yesterday.
1. Kayla get her stitches out on Wednesday.
2. That all will have a good week at school.
3. Irene would catch up in her school work.
4. Allison to bring her civic grade up.
5. Brian would continue to heal.
6. More students would come to H2O.
Ok so let me start by saying again it has been a while since I wrote. As most of you know I am going to read through this Bible that I have had for some time called The Bible for Personal Revival, so last night I went home and read chapter 3 of Genesis (yes only one chapter for personal study) which by the way I have had a difficult time taking any time for personal study lately because I am doing so much at Church no excuses (sorry). So chapter 3 is all about how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the tree then God came and found them and they were thrown out of the Garden forever. It became apparent to me last night that due to this sin and man becoming sinful all of the trouble (rain) we face in life (if you don't get the rain comment, come to H2O), is because we are sinful. I cannot stop thinking about what the Garden must have been like. Can you imagine walking with God and Him being in you presence to walk and talk with just like your best friend or your wife or husband? This must have been awesome. If I had to guess I would say that the Garden must be a lot like heaven. Where everything is living in perfect harmony where there are no cares at all and where everything is in the very presence of God where He would walk and talk with His creation. Wow, what an amazing thing this must have been. I can't wait to get to heaven to see this! But I realize that because I'm still alive and writing this that God must have more for me to do here on Earth. As Paul would say "to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Chris
1. Kayla get her stitches out on Wednesday.
2. That all will have a good week at school.
3. Irene would catch up in her school work.
4. Allison to bring her civic grade up.
5. Brian would continue to heal.
6. More students would come to H2O.
Ok so let me start by saying again it has been a while since I wrote. As most of you know I am going to read through this Bible that I have had for some time called The Bible for Personal Revival, so last night I went home and read chapter 3 of Genesis (yes only one chapter for personal study) which by the way I have had a difficult time taking any time for personal study lately because I am doing so much at Church no excuses (sorry). So chapter 3 is all about how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the tree then God came and found them and they were thrown out of the Garden forever. It became apparent to me last night that due to this sin and man becoming sinful all of the trouble (rain) we face in life (if you don't get the rain comment, come to H2O), is because we are sinful. I cannot stop thinking about what the Garden must have been like. Can you imagine walking with God and Him being in you presence to walk and talk with just like your best friend or your wife or husband? This must have been awesome. If I had to guess I would say that the Garden must be a lot like heaven. Where everything is living in perfect harmony where there are no cares at all and where everything is in the very presence of God where He would walk and talk with His creation. Wow, what an amazing thing this must have been. I can't wait to get to heaven to see this! But I realize that because I'm still alive and writing this that God must have more for me to do here on Earth. As Paul would say "to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Chris
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