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
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Jeremiah 6
Let me remind all of you who are of age that it is election day, and you should do your civic and religious duty and vote. Elections have a huge impact on what direction our world goes. It's a good thing! Ok, so lets get to the study!
Today I'm going to start by giving you the GN because I want to describe a little about what is going on. I just got this brand new Archaeological Study Bible, now I'm not much on archaeology (I had to turn to the front of the Bible just to see how to spell it) but it has some great information in it that I believe you will enjoy and that will help us in our study of Jeremiah!
GN-Jeremiah 6:13-"From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are al frauds."
GN-Jeremiah 6:19-"Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word.
GN-Jeremiah 6:27-"Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people."
GN-Jeremiah 6:30-"I will label them rejected silver, for I, the Lord am discarding them."
Here in chapter 6 God is telling us exactly what he see's in Jerusalem, He says that the city is so corrupt that He will have to destroy it. Again let us not forget that just a chapter ago God said that if there was even one honest person in the town He would not destroy it, but as we know that did not happen.
I believe it's important for us to see that even the people who were deticated to God's service where not living for God (see v. 13) even the priests had fallen into dispicable practices. I also believe it's important for us to note that this whole destruction is not God' fault (see v. 19) it is the fruit of not listening to God. In v. 27 God lets Jeremiah know that he (Jeremiah) would determine the quality of the people that where there. v.27 if they don't live up to God's standards then He will label them rejected silver.
What a lesson for us today as we often ask the age old question "why did God do that?" when maybe we should be asking what action did we do to bring about these circumstances. I'm sure that after the destruction and Jerusalem starting being attacked that the people probably stood around and wonder why God had not protected them, but God lets us know that it was "the fruit or their actions" that brought the destruction about.
The other thing that really stood out to me is the type of man that Jeremiah must have been. God puts him in charge of going out and determing the quality of the people that must have been extremely difficult for Jeremiah to tell people that they way that they were living would ultimately cause them death.
Wow, is this getting intense or what! I hope that you will take each lesson that I present here or not lesson but just thoughts and you will take God's word and read it for yourself and see what God is asking you to do today.
IN HIM <><
Today I'm going to start by giving you the GN because I want to describe a little about what is going on. I just got this brand new Archaeological Study Bible, now I'm not much on archaeology (I had to turn to the front of the Bible just to see how to spell it) but it has some great information in it that I believe you will enjoy and that will help us in our study of Jeremiah!
GN-Jeremiah 6:13-"From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are al frauds."
GN-Jeremiah 6:19-"Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word.
GN-Jeremiah 6:27-"Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people."
GN-Jeremiah 6:30-"I will label them rejected silver, for I, the Lord am discarding them."
Here in chapter 6 God is telling us exactly what he see's in Jerusalem, He says that the city is so corrupt that He will have to destroy it. Again let us not forget that just a chapter ago God said that if there was even one honest person in the town He would not destroy it, but as we know that did not happen.
I believe it's important for us to see that even the people who were deticated to God's service where not living for God (see v. 13) even the priests had fallen into dispicable practices. I also believe it's important for us to note that this whole destruction is not God' fault (see v. 19) it is the fruit of not listening to God. In v. 27 God lets Jeremiah know that he (Jeremiah) would determine the quality of the people that where there. v.27 if they don't live up to God's standards then He will label them rejected silver.
What a lesson for us today as we often ask the age old question "why did God do that?" when maybe we should be asking what action did we do to bring about these circumstances. I'm sure that after the destruction and Jerusalem starting being attacked that the people probably stood around and wonder why God had not protected them, but God lets us know that it was "the fruit or their actions" that brought the destruction about.
The other thing that really stood out to me is the type of man that Jeremiah must have been. God puts him in charge of going out and determing the quality of the people that must have been extremely difficult for Jeremiah to tell people that they way that they were living would ultimately cause them death.
Wow, is this getting intense or what! I hope that you will take each lesson that I present here or not lesson but just thoughts and you will take God's word and read it for yourself and see what God is asking you to do today.
IN HIM <><
Monday, November 5, 2007
Jeremiah 3-5
Let me start by saying I hope that everyone enjoyed worshipping together and I pray for those who were unable to attend a service yesturday, that everything is ok! Let me just say that when I write it is for more than just the people of Lake Christian Church (LCC) in Palmyra, VA. I believe and know that the God you and I servce is much larger than the small towns or even the big cities that you and I live in. So it's my prayer that this journal will somehow make a difference in your life, because it makes a huge difference in mine.
Jeremiah 3-5
God is revealing to Jeremiah the impending destruction that He is sending on Israel and Judah. It's cool to me how God uses some illustration to describe what is going on and what will happen as God is writing this he knows that on Monday, November 5 that I would be reading this and need some help understanding exactly what is going on so He used illustrations that I would understand to convey exactly what has happen and how faw Israel and Judah have fallen away from Him. God is cool!!
As I was reading about this I learned a little bit more about what exactly was going on. You see there were two different kingdoms of Israel at this time. Israel which was the northern kingdom and Judah which was the southern kingdom. God is wondering why don't the people of Judah get what is going on and turn back to God. Judah had just watched Israel fall to the Assyrians. God had allowed the Assyrians to overtake Israel because Israel had turned their backs on God, now Judah is doing the exact same thing and yet they are failing to turn back to God. Sometimes people just don't get it. Then I think about us, as people living today we have it even worse and we have watched (in the Bible) all of the kingdoms fall because they turned their backs on God yet we continue as a people and a nation to do the same things. God must get frustrated!
GN--Jeremiah 5:1--"Run up and down every street in Jerusalem, says the Lord. Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city."
Let me close with this. Many times people will say how can the God of the Bible be a loving God when He destroyed entire cities. To answer this just look at Jeremiah 5:1 God would have spared the entire city if he could have found one honest person, not a hundred, or a thousand, and God wanted was one person. I believe that this is also a lesson to us that God doesn't need the biggest and best, he just needs the committed!
Will you be committed in your walk today!
Jeremiah 3-5
God is revealing to Jeremiah the impending destruction that He is sending on Israel and Judah. It's cool to me how God uses some illustration to describe what is going on and what will happen as God is writing this he knows that on Monday, November 5 that I would be reading this and need some help understanding exactly what is going on so He used illustrations that I would understand to convey exactly what has happen and how faw Israel and Judah have fallen away from Him. God is cool!!
As I was reading about this I learned a little bit more about what exactly was going on. You see there were two different kingdoms of Israel at this time. Israel which was the northern kingdom and Judah which was the southern kingdom. God is wondering why don't the people of Judah get what is going on and turn back to God. Judah had just watched Israel fall to the Assyrians. God had allowed the Assyrians to overtake Israel because Israel had turned their backs on God, now Judah is doing the exact same thing and yet they are failing to turn back to God. Sometimes people just don't get it. Then I think about us, as people living today we have it even worse and we have watched (in the Bible) all of the kingdoms fall because they turned their backs on God yet we continue as a people and a nation to do the same things. God must get frustrated!
GN--Jeremiah 5:1--"Run up and down every street in Jerusalem, says the Lord. Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city."
Let me close with this. Many times people will say how can the God of the Bible be a loving God when He destroyed entire cities. To answer this just look at Jeremiah 5:1 God would have spared the entire city if he could have found one honest person, not a hundred, or a thousand, and God wanted was one person. I believe that this is also a lesson to us that God doesn't need the biggest and best, he just needs the committed!
Will you be committed in your walk today!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Jeremiah 1 & 2
Ok, here is the new start! I hope that not only my students will find this helpful and challenging but that others will be able to grow in Christ from this blog. So here goes nothing. WOW what a challenge! Ok I don't have a specific amount of scripture that I have to read each day I just read until I find five or six things that stand out to me ("golden nuggets"--thanks Dean Trune). As I go through this if you see "GN" that means that what comes next I thought was a golden nugget!
Today I read Jeremiah 1 & 2
Jeremiah is a preist in the day of Kind Zedekiah. Jeremiah lived in a time when the society around him was falling apart. When I say "it was falling apart" I mean socailly, economically, pollitically, and spiritually. Jeremiah has been sent to share the message of repentence. Repentance is something that we talk about a lot at Church but I believe that a lot of "church people" do not have a firm grasp of what repentance is. One of my Bible college professors taught me that repentace is a change in mind that leads to a change in action. So this would mean that if you truly repent from something that you don't go and do that again. I believe that we get sorry and repentence confused in out lives. I can remember sitting in music class at Roanoke Bible College when a group of students were acting up, which Professor Bondurant does not tollerate; (and I have come to appreciate that) she yelled at the students and they said they were sorry but Professor made it clear when she responded that she did not want them to be sorry but wanted them to repent. Ok, enough rambling.
GN-Jeremiah 1:5"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.
GN-Jeremiah 1:6-7 "O Sovereign Lord, I said, I can't speak for you! I'm too young! The Lord replied, Don't say I'm too young for you must go wherever I send you and say what ever I tell you."
GN- Jeremiah 2:27-29 "To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, 'You are my father.' To an idol chiseld from a blcok of stone they say, 'You are my mother.' They turn their back s on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me 'Come and save us!' But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah. Why do you accuse me of doing wrong? You are the ones who have rebelled, says the LORD."
*All scripture from the "New Living Translation"*
If you can't read these few verses and not see the world in which we live today, somethings wrong, that's why these are the golden nuggets for today! Well I must go, my prayer is that you and I will realize that God made you and I special and we all have a job to do no matter what age we are but first we must repent and turn to God.
IN HIM <><
Today I read Jeremiah 1 & 2
Jeremiah is a preist in the day of Kind Zedekiah. Jeremiah lived in a time when the society around him was falling apart. When I say "it was falling apart" I mean socailly, economically, pollitically, and spiritually. Jeremiah has been sent to share the message of repentence. Repentance is something that we talk about a lot at Church but I believe that a lot of "church people" do not have a firm grasp of what repentance is. One of my Bible college professors taught me that repentace is a change in mind that leads to a change in action. So this would mean that if you truly repent from something that you don't go and do that again. I believe that we get sorry and repentence confused in out lives. I can remember sitting in music class at Roanoke Bible College when a group of students were acting up, which Professor Bondurant does not tollerate; (and I have come to appreciate that) she yelled at the students and they said they were sorry but Professor made it clear when she responded that she did not want them to be sorry but wanted them to repent. Ok, enough rambling.
GN-Jeremiah 1:5"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.
GN-Jeremiah 1:6-7 "O Sovereign Lord, I said, I can't speak for you! I'm too young! The Lord replied, Don't say I'm too young for you must go wherever I send you and say what ever I tell you."
GN- Jeremiah 2:27-29 "To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, 'You are my father.' To an idol chiseld from a blcok of stone they say, 'You are my mother.' They turn their back s on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me 'Come and save us!' But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah. Why do you accuse me of doing wrong? You are the ones who have rebelled, says the LORD."
*All scripture from the "New Living Translation"*
If you can't read these few verses and not see the world in which we live today, somethings wrong, that's why these are the golden nuggets for today! Well I must go, my prayer is that you and I will realize that God made you and I special and we all have a job to do no matter what age we are but first we must repent and turn to God.
IN HIM <><
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Gone To Long!
Hey Guys,
Sorry I have not been keeping up with this I have been very busy over the last couple of weeks. I am working on a youth website, and if I must admit I believe that it is coming along rather well. It is looking good and I believe that it will be effective in showing what the youth ministry at our church has to offer. I hope that you guys are still reading this as I have updated the upcoming events, remember that if you are planning on attending an event please sign up in the wings of the building or give me a call or I guess shot me an email or text message or voice mail. WOW way to many options thees days! Hey leave me some comments on what you think of our new series "Life on Loan"! Well I must go for now as today I am off to preach a funeral for a lady who was a long time family friend.
IN HIM <><
Sorry I have not been keeping up with this I have been very busy over the last couple of weeks. I am working on a youth website, and if I must admit I believe that it is coming along rather well. It is looking good and I believe that it will be effective in showing what the youth ministry at our church has to offer. I hope that you guys are still reading this as I have updated the upcoming events, remember that if you are planning on attending an event please sign up in the wings of the building or give me a call or I guess shot me an email or text message or voice mail. WOW way to many options thees days! Hey leave me some comments on what you think of our new series "Life on Loan"! Well I must go for now as today I am off to preach a funeral for a lady who was a long time family friend.
IN HIM <><
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