God is Goodness
So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ Luke 19:13
Most of us invest money with the expectation of reaping a reward. And while a few may hide their life savings in a mattress, for the most part we expect our wealth to work for us. But what about other resources and talents – our time, our relationships, our abilities and strengths -- do we invest them with the hope of multiplying them as well, or do we sit back lazy or in fear, limiting our full potential?
In the parable of the Ten Minas, Jesus implies that God has given each of us unique gifts and talents. His wish is that we would use them for His purposes. When we follow Jesus, we give up our fears and selfish desires and serve God. Are you focused on what He desires from you or on what you desire from Him? When we use our talents in ways He calls us to, we will multiply the investment God has made in us. And God will reward a servant whose heart is aligned with Him.
The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ Luke 19:16-17
Because God is goodness, when we follow Christ, our actions will one day be rewarded.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Excuses
God is All Powerful
But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Exodus 4:13
Excuses - we all have them and sometimes they are legitimate, but what about those excuses that hold you back and keep you from accomplishing something great? The reasons that keep us from significance are usually made up, but we believe them anyway and thus miss out on opportunities.
Moses was full of excuses. Despite growing up in Pharaoh’s house and being highly educated and well connected, he baulked at God’s plan to lead the Israelites out from Egypt. His excuses included “what if they do not believe me or listen to me”, “I am slow of speech and tongue”, “who am I’, “please send someone else to do it”. Do any of these excuses sound familiar to you? Moses ultimately trusted God to sustain him as he, with the help of his brother Aaron led Israel through one of the most miraculous accounts in the Bible. But what about you; are you willing to stop making excuses and trust God to deliver you through the circumstances that plague you and the opportunities He presents?
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” Exodus 6:1
Because God is all-powerful, when we trust wholeheartedly in Jesus, we can accomplish great things.
But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Exodus 4:13
Excuses - we all have them and sometimes they are legitimate, but what about those excuses that hold you back and keep you from accomplishing something great? The reasons that keep us from significance are usually made up, but we believe them anyway and thus miss out on opportunities.
Moses was full of excuses. Despite growing up in Pharaoh’s house and being highly educated and well connected, he baulked at God’s plan to lead the Israelites out from Egypt. His excuses included “what if they do not believe me or listen to me”, “I am slow of speech and tongue”, “who am I’, “please send someone else to do it”. Do any of these excuses sound familiar to you? Moses ultimately trusted God to sustain him as he, with the help of his brother Aaron led Israel through one of the most miraculous accounts in the Bible. But what about you; are you willing to stop making excuses and trust God to deliver you through the circumstances that plague you and the opportunities He presents?
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” Exodus 6:1
Because God is all-powerful, when we trust wholeheartedly in Jesus, we can accomplish great things.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
All We Need Is Love
God is Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Everyone wants and needs to be loved – it is a universal truth. We recognize that love comes from several sources –from our parents, our friends, and from our spouse but there is also a higher love known as agape love that comes from our Heavenly Father. Many of us experience the first three forms of love and yet still feel unsatisfied because experiencing perfect love from God is the key to living completely fulfilled.
God’s unconditional love for mankind is the overriding theme of both the Old and New Testaments. God created us to be in relationship with Him and yet because of our sin we are separated. God promised a redeemer and that redeemer is Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that our relationship with God would be restored for all those who believe. Only God through Jesus can love us unconditionally. And only with that perfect love are we completely content and able to walk without fear of the challenges that lie ahead.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4: 17-18
Because God is love, in Christ we are made complete and without fear.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Everyone wants and needs to be loved – it is a universal truth. We recognize that love comes from several sources –from our parents, our friends, and from our spouse but there is also a higher love known as agape love that comes from our Heavenly Father. Many of us experience the first three forms of love and yet still feel unsatisfied because experiencing perfect love from God is the key to living completely fulfilled.
God’s unconditional love for mankind is the overriding theme of both the Old and New Testaments. God created us to be in relationship with Him and yet because of our sin we are separated. God promised a redeemer and that redeemer is Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that our relationship with God would be restored for all those who believe. Only God through Jesus can love us unconditionally. And only with that perfect love are we completely content and able to walk without fear of the challenges that lie ahead.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4: 17-18
Because God is love, in Christ we are made complete and without fear.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Seeking Meek
God is All-Powerful
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
With unemployed at extreme levels today, there is a plethora of qualified candidates seeking employment. Could you imagine a job description that lists being meek as a qualification?– Hardly! Yes, companies seek hard working, perseverant individuals who are intelligent and well-connected, but the meek – they need not apply. After all, how could one truly be successful as a boss, if they did not act “bossy”?
But if we dig into scripture, meek does not suggest weakness, but rather standing in confidence and security that is achieved through a relationship with the Almighty God. Meek suggests being submissive to God’s will, but not necessarily to men. And being meek involves being forgiving at all times. Jesus modeled what true humility is – the all-powerful God made man to be a servant for mankind. Not weak but meek. Are you ready and willing to practice what is preached?
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8
Because God is all-powerful, through Christ, we can humbly serve others.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
With unemployed at extreme levels today, there is a plethora of qualified candidates seeking employment. Could you imagine a job description that lists being meek as a qualification?– Hardly! Yes, companies seek hard working, perseverant individuals who are intelligent and well-connected, but the meek – they need not apply. After all, how could one truly be successful as a boss, if they did not act “bossy”?
But if we dig into scripture, meek does not suggest weakness, but rather standing in confidence and security that is achieved through a relationship with the Almighty God. Meek suggests being submissive to God’s will, but not necessarily to men. And being meek involves being forgiving at all times. Jesus modeled what true humility is – the all-powerful God made man to be a servant for mankind. Not weak but meek. Are you ready and willing to practice what is preached?
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8
Because God is all-powerful, through Christ, we can humbly serve others.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Golden Rule
God is Love
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:30-35
This term, The Golden Rule, refers to the maxim "do as you would be done by". Each day we are given a number of situations which we can handle a number of ways. We can be short tempered, impatient, or arrogant and rude feeding our own insecurities to be right. Or, on the other hand, like the Good Samaritan, we can look past our own desires and aversions and extend grace and mercy to those in need. We can choose to forgive and go the extra mile when we put aside our fears and selfishness even when we know we are right or simply don’t have the time.
By loving God completely through Jesus Christ, we can be transformed to see things as He sees them and be moved to action that is out of the ordinary. May you choose to serve wholeheartedly and be blessed for it!
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8
Because God is love, with Christ in our hearts, we can live out The Golden Rule.
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:30-35
This term, The Golden Rule, refers to the maxim "do as you would be done by". Each day we are given a number of situations which we can handle a number of ways. We can be short tempered, impatient, or arrogant and rude feeding our own insecurities to be right. Or, on the other hand, like the Good Samaritan, we can look past our own desires and aversions and extend grace and mercy to those in need. We can choose to forgive and go the extra mile when we put aside our fears and selfishness even when we know we are right or simply don’t have the time.
By loving God completely through Jesus Christ, we can be transformed to see things as He sees them and be moved to action that is out of the ordinary. May you choose to serve wholeheartedly and be blessed for it!
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8
Because God is love, with Christ in our hearts, we can live out The Golden Rule.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Finding God
God is Ever Present
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12
Sometimes when we need God, we need Him in a hurry and in a big way. When we seek his comfort and help, how do we know where to look and when in fact we've found Him?
Elijah, the Lord's prophet, was fleeing Israel because King Ahab wanted him dead. He thought he would be able to find God's presence to comfort him when he arrived at Mt. Sinai, the Mountain of God. But when he looked, God was not present in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Rather, God made himself known in a gentle whisper. Yes, God is always present, and can make Himself known through magnificent ways, but He is also present in the small things we encounter each day - easy to miss if we don't slow down and take time to ponder these gifts. This year, may you find peace and joy in discovering God and all His glory.
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17: 24-28
Because God is ever present, in Christ, we can experience God's presence at all times.
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12
Sometimes when we need God, we need Him in a hurry and in a big way. When we seek his comfort and help, how do we know where to look and when in fact we've found Him?
Elijah, the Lord's prophet, was fleeing Israel because King Ahab wanted him dead. He thought he would be able to find God's presence to comfort him when he arrived at Mt. Sinai, the Mountain of God. But when he looked, God was not present in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Rather, God made himself known in a gentle whisper. Yes, God is always present, and can make Himself known through magnificent ways, but He is also present in the small things we encounter each day - easy to miss if we don't slow down and take time to ponder these gifts. This year, may you find peace and joy in discovering God and all His glory.
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17: 24-28
Because God is ever present, in Christ, we can experience God's presence at all times.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
'Tis The Season!
God is Love
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Christmas is a time to celebrate as we reflect on the blessings in our life, no matter how small or how great, and on the people who are most special to us. As a tradition, we take time to send special gifts and personal notes as an expression of our gratitude.
At Christmas, we are reminded that God too sent a very special gift to us through the birth of a precious baby, born of a virgin, to show the immensity of his love for us. As foretold by the prophet Isaiah, Jesus would not only be our counselor and source of peace for all times, he would be our Lord and Savior. His Son is a promise God made to mankind for a Messiah to redeem us ever since Adam and Eve rebelled in the Garden of Eden. The extent that God goes through to prove his love for us and draw us close is unfathomable. This Christmas, may you see the depth of God’s love and the gifts He bestows through Jesus Christ, the Savior born to us on Christmas Day!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12
Because God is Love, Jesus, the promised Messiah was born unto us!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Christmas is a time to celebrate as we reflect on the blessings in our life, no matter how small or how great, and on the people who are most special to us. As a tradition, we take time to send special gifts and personal notes as an expression of our gratitude.
At Christmas, we are reminded that God too sent a very special gift to us through the birth of a precious baby, born of a virgin, to show the immensity of his love for us. As foretold by the prophet Isaiah, Jesus would not only be our counselor and source of peace for all times, he would be our Lord and Savior. His Son is a promise God made to mankind for a Messiah to redeem us ever since Adam and Eve rebelled in the Garden of Eden. The extent that God goes through to prove his love for us and draw us close is unfathomable. This Christmas, may you see the depth of God’s love and the gifts He bestows through Jesus Christ, the Savior born to us on Christmas Day!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12
Because God is Love, Jesus, the promised Messiah was born unto us!
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