Who protects you? When the Christians in Jerusalem wanted nothing to do with the newly converted Saul of Tarsus, Barnabas acted as his advocate. You don’t have enough voices. You need others to speak up for you.
Who shares your tears? Mary of Bethany was the only person in the room who understood what Jesus was going through as He came closer to His hour of death. She alone shared His tears.
Who’s close enough to you to pick up on the signals, to sense when fears and tears need to be shared? Yes, there are times when we need a pep talk or a shot in the arm, but there are also times when we need to be encouraged to lie low, to process our emotions. Who does that for you? Who rebukes you?
Even with 20/20 vision, one pair of eyes is not enough. You have blind spots. Satan is always ready to remind you of your good qualities. But a true friend is the one who exposes and challenges your self-seeking, self-pleasing and self-dependence, and helps you to restore to God the authority you’ve robbed Him of.
Who plays with you? Does this sound unimportant, even carnal? No! You must never let the seriousness of life override your need for recreation, a word that’s only understood when it’s hyphenated, re-creation. Who seeks God with you.
Praying together keeps us honest. It also keeps us dependent on God. We’re reluctant to open up, to get real about our areas of struggle. Yet it’s only in the honesty of shared prayer that we draw closer to God – and to one another.
by
Bishop Donald Hilliard
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pass It Along
Some US market researchers recently studied Twitter, to check out what kind of information is being posted on its web service. If you're not familiar with it, Twitter is a social networking site where people can pass along short messages, called "tweets," to their subscribers. Here's what they found:
Over 40 percent of the "tweets" were "Pointless Babble," stuff like "I'm having a sandwich." Another 37 percent were listed as "Conversational," basically instant messages sent from one individual to another. Less than nine percent had any "Pass-Along Value," and "Self-Promotion," "Spam," and "News" items were even smaller than that. So, by far, the majority of the communication is trivial.
It's interesting that the subscribers to the "tweets" are called "followers." And it's interesting that those they're following are telling them things that are unimportant. Now, don't get the idea that I'm criticizing Twitter or similar web-based communication sites. I'm not. I use them myself, and my church in Albuquerque is on Twitter. (You can sign up to get our "tweets," if you like. I promise we won't give you pointless babble!)
But here's what I'm getting at. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a follower of the Savior of the world. You know the one who gave His life as a ransom for yours, and for anyone who believes. You have information that has "pass-along value." You know how people can be saved from the power of sin in their lives, and from the punishment for those sins.
So your communication should be more than just "pointless babble." It should be about the hope that you have in Jesus Christ. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Note that--your salvation is a gift from God! Isn't that wonderful news?
But look at Romans 10:14-15. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"
Verse 12 reminds us that God "is rich to all who call upon him," and verse 13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But first they have to get that message. Your job, and the job of every believer in Jesus Christ, is to make sure you pass it along to them.
by
Skip Heitzig
Over 40 percent of the "tweets" were "Pointless Babble," stuff like "I'm having a sandwich." Another 37 percent were listed as "Conversational," basically instant messages sent from one individual to another. Less than nine percent had any "Pass-Along Value," and "Self-Promotion," "Spam," and "News" items were even smaller than that. So, by far, the majority of the communication is trivial.
It's interesting that the subscribers to the "tweets" are called "followers." And it's interesting that those they're following are telling them things that are unimportant. Now, don't get the idea that I'm criticizing Twitter or similar web-based communication sites. I'm not. I use them myself, and my church in Albuquerque is on Twitter. (You can sign up to get our "tweets," if you like. I promise we won't give you pointless babble!)
But here's what I'm getting at. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a follower of the Savior of the world. You know the one who gave His life as a ransom for yours, and for anyone who believes. You have information that has "pass-along value." You know how people can be saved from the power of sin in their lives, and from the punishment for those sins.
So your communication should be more than just "pointless babble." It should be about the hope that you have in Jesus Christ. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Note that--your salvation is a gift from God! Isn't that wonderful news?
But look at Romans 10:14-15. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"
Verse 12 reminds us that God "is rich to all who call upon him," and verse 13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But first they have to get that message. Your job, and the job of every believer in Jesus Christ, is to make sure you pass it along to them.
by
Skip Heitzig
Monday, June 13, 2011
Time To Take A Stand
A few days ago, I picked up a copy of a local community paper and was delighted to see a positive story about families. They highlighted a few local fathers that made family priority in their lives. It was such a great change from what we usually see in media about family.
Unfortunately, it has become the norm to read about broken families, abusive parents, dead beat dads, alcoholic moms and unruly children. What's even more unfortunate is we see this just as much in the Body of Christ as we do outside.
So what do we do as Christians? Do we sit back and allow this to continue and just accept it as the way things are? Or do we take a stand and work to put family back in its proper God ordained order? The Bible equips us with the needed guidelines for families to come together as a strong unit. The question is, will we follow those guidelines?
Here are just a few ...
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her with the washing of water by the word that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25 - 27
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22Colossians 3:21 Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Colossians 3:20
"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Colossians 3:21
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6
If we began to follow these and all the other family guidelines outlined in the Bible, can you imagine the changes we would see in our family structures? The Body of Christ could finally become the standard instead of following what the world says the standard is.
As strong family units, we would be able to live a life filled with joy and peace knowing that even when storms arise, we are surrounded with a support system in place to help us get through it. We would be able to share Christ with unbelievers through our actions and not just our words ...which is always more powerful of a testimony anyway.
And the best part about God is, it doesn't matter how messed up things may seem within your family today. If you turn it over to HIM, He will meet you right where you are and show you how to rebuild your current situation.
It's not too late ... and things are not too screwed up. Nothing is too big for our God. We just have to make the decision that it's time to take a stand for families and build according to God's direction and instruction.
by
Tanya S. Martin-James
Unfortunately, it has become the norm to read about broken families, abusive parents, dead beat dads, alcoholic moms and unruly children. What's even more unfortunate is we see this just as much in the Body of Christ as we do outside.
So what do we do as Christians? Do we sit back and allow this to continue and just accept it as the way things are? Or do we take a stand and work to put family back in its proper God ordained order? The Bible equips us with the needed guidelines for families to come together as a strong unit. The question is, will we follow those guidelines?
Here are just a few ...
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her with the washing of water by the word that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25 - 27
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22Colossians 3:21 Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Colossians 3:20
"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Colossians 3:21
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6
If we began to follow these and all the other family guidelines outlined in the Bible, can you imagine the changes we would see in our family structures? The Body of Christ could finally become the standard instead of following what the world says the standard is.
As strong family units, we would be able to live a life filled with joy and peace knowing that even when storms arise, we are surrounded with a support system in place to help us get through it. We would be able to share Christ with unbelievers through our actions and not just our words ...which is always more powerful of a testimony anyway.
And the best part about God is, it doesn't matter how messed up things may seem within your family today. If you turn it over to HIM, He will meet you right where you are and show you how to rebuild your current situation.
It's not too late ... and things are not too screwed up. Nothing is too big for our God. We just have to make the decision that it's time to take a stand for families and build according to God's direction and instruction.
by
Tanya S. Martin-James
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Being A Member Of A Family
Most of us experienced a great amount of emotion when Hurricane Katrina took place in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast in 2005, and the floods in Memphis, TN and the tornados that hit Joplin, MO, Springfield, MA and across other states in our country recently this year.
Many lives were affected and through the news media, we saw where lives were lost and others lost all they had. But through all of that, we saw the citizens of this nation come together and homes, shelters, food, clothing, government assistance, open arms, and whatever else was needed for fellow citizens, was provided. Especially the church, the Body of Christ, played a large role in the helping. When I saw all of this, I saw a family.
With all of the devastation that we’ve seen in our nation during these times, there are still some issues that continue to come up regarding help and recovery, placing blame on this or that one, this one or that one because of politics or race, etc. In the midst of it all, this question may be asked -- “Can we all just get along?” The answer to this question is, “Yes we can, in spite of the differences, issues and concerns.” This is what a family does. Family is a relationship. It takes work on all sides to make it succeed. The work takes praying, communicating, listening, uniting, helping, participating and coming together.
We all can learn from the disasters that took place. Let’s remember to try to be there for our families, both natural and church -- before the disaster takes place, not just wait until it comes and then we’re there. For some in the family, that may be a little too late.
PRAYER: Lord, what can we say? But that You are our Father and we are a part of Your family. Help us Lord, to be there for our families and others during their times of disaster. In Your name we pray, Amen.
By
Brenda Gittens
Many lives were affected and through the news media, we saw where lives were lost and others lost all they had. But through all of that, we saw the citizens of this nation come together and homes, shelters, food, clothing, government assistance, open arms, and whatever else was needed for fellow citizens, was provided. Especially the church, the Body of Christ, played a large role in the helping. When I saw all of this, I saw a family.
With all of the devastation that we’ve seen in our nation during these times, there are still some issues that continue to come up regarding help and recovery, placing blame on this or that one, this one or that one because of politics or race, etc. In the midst of it all, this question may be asked -- “Can we all just get along?” The answer to this question is, “Yes we can, in spite of the differences, issues and concerns.” This is what a family does. Family is a relationship. It takes work on all sides to make it succeed. The work takes praying, communicating, listening, uniting, helping, participating and coming together.
We all can learn from the disasters that took place. Let’s remember to try to be there for our families, both natural and church -- before the disaster takes place, not just wait until it comes and then we’re there. For some in the family, that may be a little too late.
PRAYER: Lord, what can we say? But that You are our Father and we are a part of Your family. Help us Lord, to be there for our families and others during their times of disaster. In Your name we pray, Amen.
By
Brenda Gittens
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