Many of us have been blessed with close friends. Imagine if we never spent time with them but instead just thought and talked about how wonderful these special people are. Wouldn’t such behavior be foolish? Yet some Christians do just that.
Despite accumulating vast knowledge about God and the Bible, they miss out on rich fellowship with the Father, the best friend anyone could ever have.
It is possible to fill our lives with spiritual information and activities—all of which are good—but fail to develop a close relationship with the Lord. Take a quick inventory to see if this might be true of you: Do you attend church only out of a sense of duty? Do you pray with lofty or repetitive words rather than speaking to God from the heart? Do you serve solely out of obligation?
In Scripture, we read about many people whose personal encounter with the Lord was energizing and life-changing. Abraham, Gideon, Moses, and Paul were just a few who spoke with Him one-on-one (Genesis 7:4; Judges 6:12, 14; Exodus 3:2; Acts 9:3-6). We probably don’t expect dramatic “burning bush” experiences today, yet all believers should still have precious, intimate times with God. Whenever we open His Word and invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate its meaning, we can hear directly from our heavenly Father.
The Bible tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Walking closely with the Lord takes commitment and time. Start now by dedicating a portion of your day to meeting with your Friend.
By
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Just Be Still
I like to think that I'm an extrovert with introvert tendencies. I sometimes prefer noise to silence and company to solitude. That just seems to be my personality. Hidden behind all this extroversion is this truth: Sometimes I don't like to be alone. I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one.
When I am alone -; no music, television, cell phone, or other distraction -; I have no other choice than to face myself. And let's face it, that's not always easy or pleasurable.
I think we need a better understanding of why time alone with God is so vital. If you were to follow Jesus' life for a few days in the gospels, you would see an undeniable pattern. He spent a lot of time with the multitudes, the cynics, and the disciples. No wonder he needed time alone with God. Why should it be any different with us?
Do you remember being told to "be still" as a child?
Sit right here and don't move.
Stop running.
Don't jump on the furniture.
Slow down.
Just, be still.
As kids, we had endless energy. We woke up to play and run. We sought something new every single day. So, the command to "be still" undoubtedly came at the worst possible times. It interrupted our fun, tamed our adventures, and brought us back to reality.
Nowadays, energy isn't so endless. Today, we often wake up to pain, illness, or uncertainty. The search for something new is drowned out by the monotony of life (school, work, or home). Even when we're not working, we're preoccupied. You know the saying, "If it ain't one thing, it's another."
So, "being still" is seen as an interruption instead of an invitation.
Yet, we are encouraged throughout Scripture to spend time alone with God. Moses did it. The prophets of old did it. Jesus did it. Seems pretty clear that we should do it. But, how can I do that, let alone enjoy it, if I don't even like to be with myself?
Time alone with yourself is like a mirror into your soul. The memories of the past rush in; followed by regret, guilt, and shame. Or maybe the things that worry you begin to take precedence. By the time you sort through all of you there isn't much energy (or desire) to remain there or to seek God.
Time alone with God has a purpose. It is a mirror into how God sees you. It is there that we are forgiven, refreshed, restored, and renewed. There we are healed, encouraged, and even reprimanded. Beauty is given for ashes and strength for weakness.
Hebrews 4:14-15 reminds us that "...we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need."
As children, we had no other choice when we were told to be still. Now, let us choose to be still because we prefer time with Him over all of our distractions. And simply, because life has a way of giving us no other choice.
By
Aqualyn Toi Jones
When I am alone -; no music, television, cell phone, or other distraction -; I have no other choice than to face myself. And let's face it, that's not always easy or pleasurable.
I think we need a better understanding of why time alone with God is so vital. If you were to follow Jesus' life for a few days in the gospels, you would see an undeniable pattern. He spent a lot of time with the multitudes, the cynics, and the disciples. No wonder he needed time alone with God. Why should it be any different with us?
Do you remember being told to "be still" as a child?
Sit right here and don't move.
Stop running.
Don't jump on the furniture.
Slow down.
Just, be still.
As kids, we had endless energy. We woke up to play and run. We sought something new every single day. So, the command to "be still" undoubtedly came at the worst possible times. It interrupted our fun, tamed our adventures, and brought us back to reality.
Nowadays, energy isn't so endless. Today, we often wake up to pain, illness, or uncertainty. The search for something new is drowned out by the monotony of life (school, work, or home). Even when we're not working, we're preoccupied. You know the saying, "If it ain't one thing, it's another."
So, "being still" is seen as an interruption instead of an invitation.
Yet, we are encouraged throughout Scripture to spend time alone with God. Moses did it. The prophets of old did it. Jesus did it. Seems pretty clear that we should do it. But, how can I do that, let alone enjoy it, if I don't even like to be with myself?
Time alone with yourself is like a mirror into your soul. The memories of the past rush in; followed by regret, guilt, and shame. Or maybe the things that worry you begin to take precedence. By the time you sort through all of you there isn't much energy (or desire) to remain there or to seek God.
Time alone with God has a purpose. It is a mirror into how God sees you. It is there that we are forgiven, refreshed, restored, and renewed. There we are healed, encouraged, and even reprimanded. Beauty is given for ashes and strength for weakness.
Hebrews 4:14-15 reminds us that "...we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need."
As children, we had no other choice when we were told to be still. Now, let us choose to be still because we prefer time with Him over all of our distractions. And simply, because life has a way of giving us no other choice.
By
Aqualyn Toi Jones
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Begin Again
The desperate father refused to eat or drink. For days he laid prostrate on the floor of his house and wept. He begged God to heal his sick child. After all, it was HIS sin of adultery that had angered the Almighty. The child was innocent. But heaven showed no mercy. The baby boy died seven days later.
It was a most scandalous crime. King David had an alliance with a married woman. The bewitching Bathsheba got pregnant. David had her husband killed to cover up his tracks and claim her as his new wife. But then the word of God came and convicted him.
King David agonized over his son while the child was alive. But when he drew his last breath, David stopped mourning. He got up from the floor, washed his face and went to the temple to worship God. He then went home and ate a big meal. His quick recovery shocked his servants. How could he shut the door to his loss so fast? But what was done was done. David would waste no more time living in regret. It was time to begin again. Some people choose to pitch a tent around their failures and camp out.
David wasn’t having that. He decided to accept God’s forgiveness, and release his guilt and emotional baggage. That’s the only way he could move forward.
What is it that you insist on holding on to that God has instructed you to let go? Is it a destructive relationship? a bad habit? No amount of prayer or fasting will make it good. God says release it. It stands in the way of your new beginning.
This New Year doesn’t need to be saddled with old baggage. Take a cue from King David. He took three key steps to begin again.
First, the moment his son died, David released his guilt and grief. Suddenly, he saw clearly enough to reconnect to his true purpose. And that was simply to serve God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
David’s sin had severed his fellowship with God and blocked his vision. Once he fully released it, he went straight to “church” to worship.
That was the second step David took. He got refreshed.
Each new day, God gives us 86,400 seconds to refresh, to begin again. Unlike your vacation days or cell phone minutes, these seconds don’t roll over. You can’t accumulate time. Spend it living your purpose not regretting your past.
The day you release and refresh, is the day you begin to reclaim right-standing with God. This third step is the only way to true peace and prosperity. Reclaiming right-standing simply means to accept God’s forgiveness, and forgive yourself! This was key to David’s deliverance.
No matter how shameful our past failures, God urges us to begin again. Here is an amazing irony: From the ashes of our “mess,” God can create something marvelous.
David didn’t want to lose his child, even though it symbolized his “mess.” God replaced him with Solomon, the second child born to David and Bathsheba. Solomon would rise to become one of the greatest rulers of ancient Israel and the wisest man in the world during his time.
What personal greatness might you be holding up because you won’t release old hurts and failures? The birth of your “Solomon” cannot occur while you linger in the grave yard of your past mistakes. The lord said in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
God has made a way for us to release, refresh and reclaim our rightful place in Him. Now is the time to begin again.
By
Sharon Frame
It was a most scandalous crime. King David had an alliance with a married woman. The bewitching Bathsheba got pregnant. David had her husband killed to cover up his tracks and claim her as his new wife. But then the word of God came and convicted him.
King David agonized over his son while the child was alive. But when he drew his last breath, David stopped mourning. He got up from the floor, washed his face and went to the temple to worship God. He then went home and ate a big meal. His quick recovery shocked his servants. How could he shut the door to his loss so fast? But what was done was done. David would waste no more time living in regret. It was time to begin again. Some people choose to pitch a tent around their failures and camp out.
David wasn’t having that. He decided to accept God’s forgiveness, and release his guilt and emotional baggage. That’s the only way he could move forward.
What is it that you insist on holding on to that God has instructed you to let go? Is it a destructive relationship? a bad habit? No amount of prayer or fasting will make it good. God says release it. It stands in the way of your new beginning.
This New Year doesn’t need to be saddled with old baggage. Take a cue from King David. He took three key steps to begin again.
First, the moment his son died, David released his guilt and grief. Suddenly, he saw clearly enough to reconnect to his true purpose. And that was simply to serve God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
David’s sin had severed his fellowship with God and blocked his vision. Once he fully released it, he went straight to “church” to worship.
That was the second step David took. He got refreshed.
Each new day, God gives us 86,400 seconds to refresh, to begin again. Unlike your vacation days or cell phone minutes, these seconds don’t roll over. You can’t accumulate time. Spend it living your purpose not regretting your past.
The day you release and refresh, is the day you begin to reclaim right-standing with God. This third step is the only way to true peace and prosperity. Reclaiming right-standing simply means to accept God’s forgiveness, and forgive yourself! This was key to David’s deliverance.
No matter how shameful our past failures, God urges us to begin again. Here is an amazing irony: From the ashes of our “mess,” God can create something marvelous.
David didn’t want to lose his child, even though it symbolized his “mess.” God replaced him with Solomon, the second child born to David and Bathsheba. Solomon would rise to become one of the greatest rulers of ancient Israel and the wisest man in the world during his time.
What personal greatness might you be holding up because you won’t release old hurts and failures? The birth of your “Solomon” cannot occur while you linger in the grave yard of your past mistakes. The lord said in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
God has made a way for us to release, refresh and reclaim our rightful place in Him. Now is the time to begin again.
By
Sharon Frame
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
By God's Grace You'll Make It
The bible speaks of “Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel…who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong” ( vv.32-34 NKJV). Who were these people? Jephthah, a social outcast born to an unwed mother. Samuel, a great prophet but not a great parent. David, who wrote the Psalms but had an affair. “Out of weakness were made strong.” Notice, they didn’t start out strong, they became strong. And if they can make it, you can too! For reasons God never explains, He chooses to work through people like us. He places us in difficult situations then unlocks our faith, compassion and creativity. When we don’t know which way to go, He connects us with those who can open the right door at the right moment. Does that mean we won’t experience fear? No, progress has always been made by people who faced their fears and rose above them. They knew that opportunity and security were opposites. The truth is, if the challenge you’re facing doesn’t place a demand on your faith, it neither pleases God nor involves Him. Phillips Brooks said, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
From
Newlifeoakwood.org
From
Newlifeoakwood.org
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
How To Know When God Is Leading You
God guides us by closing one door then opening another. Abraham didn't know where he was going, but he knew he couldn't stay where he was - and that's enough to create movement in the right direction. Knowing you can't stay where you are is often the starting point of God's guidance. And it usually begins with an inward stirring and restlessness in your soul. Seasons have beginnings and endings. When a season is over, you sense it's time to move!
"They headed north [to]...Bithynia, but again the Spirit...said no. So instead they went on through Mysia province to the city of Troas. That night Paul had a vision. In his dream he saw a man over in Macedonia, Greece, pleading with him, 'Come over here and help us.' Well, that settled it. We would go to Macedonia, for we could only conclude that God was sending us to preach the Good News there" (Acts 16:7-10 TLB).
Notice, when God kept Paul from going into Asia, Paul didn't stay there praying and asking "why?" - he just kept moving. For Paul, trying something and it not working out was no big deal. He believed that his gift to God was his willing heart and his mobility, and that God's gift to him was that He would always guide him to where he needed to be. What God prevents, denies, or keeps us away from, is as much divine guidance as what He permits and opens up to us.
Every door that didn't open, every opportunity you didn't get, every call that didn't come, is as much God's guidance as those that did. Think about it!
By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
"They headed north [to]...Bithynia, but again the Spirit...said no. So instead they went on through Mysia province to the city of Troas. That night Paul had a vision. In his dream he saw a man over in Macedonia, Greece, pleading with him, 'Come over here and help us.' Well, that settled it. We would go to Macedonia, for we could only conclude that God was sending us to preach the Good News there" (Acts 16:7-10 TLB).
Notice, when God kept Paul from going into Asia, Paul didn't stay there praying and asking "why?" - he just kept moving. For Paul, trying something and it not working out was no big deal. He believed that his gift to God was his willing heart and his mobility, and that God's gift to him was that He would always guide him to where he needed to be. What God prevents, denies, or keeps us away from, is as much divine guidance as what He permits and opens up to us.
Every door that didn't open, every opportunity you didn't get, every call that didn't come, is as much God's guidance as those that did. Think about it!
By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
Monday, January 10, 2011
Having Ted Williams Sized Faith
By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the Ted Williams story. No, not the baseball legend, but the one that has the gift of the golden voice. Here we have a 53-year-old gentleman that got his start as a radio announcer. If you didn’t live in his town, you probably never heard him. Even people that lived IN his town may not have heard of him. Somewhere down the line the he fell victim to the devil’s advocates known as drugs and alcohol.
They tempted him and eventually took control of him. Mr. Williams said in his interview on The Early Show that it was while he was homeless that he found God. He said he got a 2010 date book and was going to write “another wasted year” in the book. He decided not to because that was the year he found God. A 53-year-old man that JUST found God……last year! No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Ted Williams’ story tells me several other things as well. It tells me whether you believe in God or not, God watches over you. It tells me God has a purpose and a plan for your life.(Isaiah 55:8) It tells me God answers prayers. It tells me when God touches YOUR situation; it will blow your mind beyond belief.
Mr. Williams, during his time as a homeless man, had what I call a Wilderness Moment, similar to when Moses led the people out of Egypt (Exodus 14). The Israelites weren’t where they use to be, but hadn’t quite made it to the Promised Land. Obviously, Mr. Williams wasn’t homeless 40 years, but it may have felt like it. He had to have his Wilderness Moment before he got to his Promised Land. How many of you are in or have had YOUR Wilderness Moment? Ted Williams said he thanked God EVERYDAY while he was homeless….Imagine that (Colossians 4:2). He said in his Early Show interview, whether he made $25 or 25 cents, he still made time to talk to and have a relationship with God. In the midst of his struggle, he praised God. (Psalm 34:1)
He says now he is more appreciative of things and won’t take them for granted. I’m sure all of us know a couple people with jobs, a house, cars, food and good health that won’t give God or the Bible 5 minutes, but will give Facebook countless hours. Despite Ted Williams’ situation, he never quit or gave up. He left drugs and alcohol alone and has been clean for two and a half years. He prayed his 92 year old mother (she prayed for him too) would see him rebound and get his life together (Psalm 4:1). Due to his faithfulness, God answered his prayer and has now been blessed more abundantly than ever before. Now he has multi-million dollar businesses giving him job offers like Kraft (already shot the commercial), MSNBC, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been on Early Show, Today Show, Good Morning America, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I’m sure his mom felt like the father from Luke 15 when the lost son finally returned home. Two weeks ago, most people wouldn’t have given him a quarter or the crumbs from the sandwich they got at their local drive thru….but God!!!! The Bible says He will never leave your or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8)….all we need to do is have the faith of a homeless man!!!!
By Jason H. Richardson
They tempted him and eventually took control of him. Mr. Williams said in his interview on The Early Show that it was while he was homeless that he found God. He said he got a 2010 date book and was going to write “another wasted year” in the book. He decided not to because that was the year he found God. A 53-year-old man that JUST found God……last year! No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Ted Williams’ story tells me several other things as well. It tells me whether you believe in God or not, God watches over you. It tells me God has a purpose and a plan for your life.(Isaiah 55:8) It tells me God answers prayers. It tells me when God touches YOUR situation; it will blow your mind beyond belief.
Mr. Williams, during his time as a homeless man, had what I call a Wilderness Moment, similar to when Moses led the people out of Egypt (Exodus 14). The Israelites weren’t where they use to be, but hadn’t quite made it to the Promised Land. Obviously, Mr. Williams wasn’t homeless 40 years, but it may have felt like it. He had to have his Wilderness Moment before he got to his Promised Land. How many of you are in or have had YOUR Wilderness Moment? Ted Williams said he thanked God EVERYDAY while he was homeless….Imagine that (Colossians 4:2). He said in his Early Show interview, whether he made $25 or 25 cents, he still made time to talk to and have a relationship with God. In the midst of his struggle, he praised God. (Psalm 34:1)
He says now he is more appreciative of things and won’t take them for granted. I’m sure all of us know a couple people with jobs, a house, cars, food and good health that won’t give God or the Bible 5 minutes, but will give Facebook countless hours. Despite Ted Williams’ situation, he never quit or gave up. He left drugs and alcohol alone and has been clean for two and a half years. He prayed his 92 year old mother (she prayed for him too) would see him rebound and get his life together (Psalm 4:1). Due to his faithfulness, God answered his prayer and has now been blessed more abundantly than ever before. Now he has multi-million dollar businesses giving him job offers like Kraft (already shot the commercial), MSNBC, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been on Early Show, Today Show, Good Morning America, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I’m sure his mom felt like the father from Luke 15 when the lost son finally returned home. Two weeks ago, most people wouldn’t have given him a quarter or the crumbs from the sandwich they got at their local drive thru….but God!!!! The Bible says He will never leave your or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8)….all we need to do is have the faith of a homeless man!!!!
By Jason H. Richardson
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Art Of Re-Gifting
A few weeks ago during the Christmas holiday, I posted the following question on my Facebook page: "Do you believe that re-gifting is tacky or resourceful".
As I am sure you can imagine I received a plethora of responses that varied from "Yes! It most certainly is resourceful" to the exact opposite, "I think it's absolutely tacky". While I posted that question just to spark casual conversation about the common practice of re-gifting, I have since been unable to shake the question out of my mind.
Most often in my walk with the Lord, when something stays on my mind, it's often a whisper from God to my heart. However, it was hard for me to take myself seriously this time. What in the world could God have to say about 're-gifting?'
When we think of re-gifting what do we mean? In the simplest definition it means receiving a gift and then instead of keeping the gift, passing it on to someone else. Are you catching it yet? You receive a gift and you pass it on to someone else. That summarizes exactly what God has called us to do!
He has placed in each of us a special gift. All of us, I don't care what you've been told or what you've experienced, all of us were created with a specific purpose; a unique gift. (If you don't believe me I encourage you to read Jeremiah 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, or Isaiah 42:6).
But the gift that he has given us is not intended for us to hold on to them, but rather "re-gift" our gift from God! In Mark 4:21 Jesus asks "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lamp stand? " In other words, a light is meant to shine for others to see.
He gave gifts to us for us to pass them onto someone else. But there is one distinction. Most times we re-gift items to others that are our left-overs or items we don't want. That's not God's desire. He wants us to re-gift our very best. Because as we all know "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17).
As you ponder this issue of re-gifting allow me to ask you a few questions:
Do you have the gift of song?
If so, don't simply use your gift for the confines of your shower; allow your gift of song to calm someone's anxious heart.
Do you have the gift of writing?
If so, don't simply use the gift for your personal journal; allow that gift to encourage someone during a challenging time.
There is a popular TV show called "Hoarders" and it highlights persons struggling with an obsessive compulsion to stockpile things in their home to the extent that it causes personal crisis in their life. At risk of being an extremist, I believe that those of us who have been given a gift from the Lord but refuse to share the gift with others could be accused of being a lot like these persons on this show...hoarders.
As we embark upon this New Year I am sure you have at least thought about what you want to improve upon in this new decade. Why not add the habit of re-gifting to your list? Believe it or not, it's not tacky at all!
By Robin May
As I am sure you can imagine I received a plethora of responses that varied from "Yes! It most certainly is resourceful" to the exact opposite, "I think it's absolutely tacky". While I posted that question just to spark casual conversation about the common practice of re-gifting, I have since been unable to shake the question out of my mind.
Most often in my walk with the Lord, when something stays on my mind, it's often a whisper from God to my heart. However, it was hard for me to take myself seriously this time. What in the world could God have to say about 're-gifting?'
When we think of re-gifting what do we mean? In the simplest definition it means receiving a gift and then instead of keeping the gift, passing it on to someone else. Are you catching it yet? You receive a gift and you pass it on to someone else. That summarizes exactly what God has called us to do!
He has placed in each of us a special gift. All of us, I don't care what you've been told or what you've experienced, all of us were created with a specific purpose; a unique gift. (If you don't believe me I encourage you to read Jeremiah 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, or Isaiah 42:6).
But the gift that he has given us is not intended for us to hold on to them, but rather "re-gift" our gift from God! In Mark 4:21 Jesus asks "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lamp stand? " In other words, a light is meant to shine for others to see.
He gave gifts to us for us to pass them onto someone else. But there is one distinction. Most times we re-gift items to others that are our left-overs or items we don't want. That's not God's desire. He wants us to re-gift our very best. Because as we all know "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17).
As you ponder this issue of re-gifting allow me to ask you a few questions:
Do you have the gift of song?
If so, don't simply use your gift for the confines of your shower; allow your gift of song to calm someone's anxious heart.
Do you have the gift of writing?
If so, don't simply use the gift for your personal journal; allow that gift to encourage someone during a challenging time.
There is a popular TV show called "Hoarders" and it highlights persons struggling with an obsessive compulsion to stockpile things in their home to the extent that it causes personal crisis in their life. At risk of being an extremist, I believe that those of us who have been given a gift from the Lord but refuse to share the gift with others could be accused of being a lot like these persons on this show...hoarders.
As we embark upon this New Year I am sure you have at least thought about what you want to improve upon in this new decade. Why not add the habit of re-gifting to your list? Believe it or not, it's not tacky at all!
By Robin May
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