Wednesday, September 30, 2015

9-27-15 Behind the Scenes

Been thinking a lot over the past 2 weeks about the blog.  Specifically this Saturday I was thinking quite a bit.  This is a bible study blog that is e-mailed to a group, shared on my facebook page and on blogspot.  It can somehow be accessed in google circles.  I publish it but some tech things escape me so I don't get the whole google feed or circles thing.  
  So with all that being said there's a lot of people and ways to access the blog,  I don't always see or understand how God is using me sharing bible studies online.  With that I wanted to share a passage.  Isaiah 55:8-11 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord, "And my ways are beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.  They cause the grain to grow producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."  See I don't always get what's going on with this bible study but I've been learning I don't have to.  Two nights ago Marion and I were talking and I was concerned that people who had signed up never really responded to me contacting them.  She reminded me that this study is for the busy, and on the go, and things happen but God will use it how and when he sees fit.  I also got reminded of this by Brooke.  I want to let you in on something.  You who read this study I'm praying for you.  So is Brooke our Life Group coordinator.  So is David the man in charge of Real Life's prayer team.  I also have a friend Barbara she prays for Marion and I and all of you are affected by that as well.  See I'm just a messenger.  I'm simply willing to share God's word with you and my feeble observations.  But when God's word goes out it always accomplishes his plan.  When he changes your life that's the really cool part.  When I got asked to be a life group leader years ago it started with a simple idea.  It has become so much more.  I often pray this prayer and there's nothing spectacular about the prayer or words.  Its God at work who deserves all the glory.  I ask God to let whatever he has for me to say be his words and not mine and that I be the least important part.  I'm going to tell you this God made this blog possible he's at work doing things I don't understand and I couldn't imagine.  Sometimes he puts friends in my path to encourage me.  If you read these feeble presentations regularly or are new to it you are being prayed for.  The God of all creation sent his son Jesus to die for your sins and mine.  He wants a personal relationship with you and wants to change you.
  Ephesians 3:20    "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."  
  As you walk away from this I want you to take this with you.  "God is able He will never fail.  He is almighty God.  Greater than all we seek greater than all we ask.  He has done great things.  Lifted up He defeated the grave.  Raised to life our God is able.  In His name we overcome for the Lord our God is able."  


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Friday, September 25, 2015

Stand up

These days I see and hear a lot of people who claim to be a Christian but they live and act no different than the lost they are trying to reach.  Alleged Christians are using profanity and consuming alcohol and you simply can't tell who they are living for.  it brings to mind the words of the song by Petra called Seen and not Heard and I'm going to share those here and then on to the rest of this. 
Too many black sheep in the family
Too many stones from a house of glass
They've heard the stories, they've heard the lines
But talk is to cheap to change their minds
They want to see some vital signs

Convictions- in the way we live
Convictions- not a narrative
Actions speak a little louder than words

[CHORUS]
Seen and not heard, seen and not heard
Sometimes God's children should be seen and
not heard
There's too much talk and not enough walk
Sometimes God's children should be seen and
not heard

Delayed reaction to hostilities
Brings us into reality
Cause when we answer in our defense
They can see through the false pretense
They want to see some evidence

Commitment- no more alibis
Commitment- not a compromise
Actions speak a little louder than words

[CHORUS]

Let your light so shine in all you do
With an answer near when they come to you
Don't let your mouth start talkin'
Until your feet start walkin'

[CHORUS]
Sunday night I was driving to work and I got passed by a Police suv and not only was the driver speeding but they changed lanes multiple times with no blinker and no emergency lights on.  The Policeman could have easily caused an accident.  These guys are supposed to be an example to others and uphold the laws.  It's like Christians who don't act like Christ.  In Revelation 3:15-17 we find a letter to the church in Laodicea from God.  "I know the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold, I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!"  Its pretty blunt.  If Christ has saved you then you are on mission with God.  Time for a wake up call Christians!  Take a stand people draw so close to God that he is who they see and not you.  Stop acting like the world and start being like the one who saved you and called you his child.  Matthew 5:13-16 " 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
      14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 



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Friday, September 18, 2015

Drama and peace

Recently I heard Micah say "We're all just one step away from stupid."  There's also a phrase of "Well that escalated rather quickly."  I was reading Judges 11 and just listening to this real life story sounded a lot like reading some people's face book posts.  Jepthah didn't have the proper upbringing for his half brother's liking.  Watch verses 2-3 "Gilead's wife also had several sons, and when these half brothers grew up, they chased Jepthah off the land.  `You will not get any of our Father's inheritance', they said. `For you are the son of a prostitute'.  So Jepthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob.  Soon he had a band of worthless rebels following him."  In verse 1 we find this guy is a great warrior but because of his family he's run out of town.  In verses 4-10 The Ammonites begin their war with Israel.  Suddenly the Elders of Gilead sent for Jepthah to come help.  It becomes a case of hey you ran me off and now you want my help.  I love the response that Jepthah gives them in the New Living Translation "Let me get this straight.  If I come with you and if the Lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?"  The Elders really agreed to it.  Then after Jepthah is made ruler he made what I consider a smart choice.  For all those who may ask "Why did they fight why didn't they try to talk about it?"  He tried to talk to the king of Ammon and even took him on a history lesson of both races interaction.  Then you get to verse 28 "But the King of Ammon paid no attention to Jepthah's message."  
  Jepthah reminds me of someone name John J. Rambo.  See this year I watched all 4 Rambo movies in succession.  Jepthah didn't get it all right but he tried.  He and Rambo share these three traits.  They were both mighty warriors, they weren't looking for trouble, and the people harassing them well "They drew first blood."  God calls us to be peacemakers.  Like i said this whole story escalated quickly.  This is what I hope you learn from all this.  Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."  I had this driven home to me Thursday morning.  had a friend saying things both scripture and my own beliefs didn't agree with.  I almost became combative and tried to show the person the error of their ways but it would have created a rift between me and that person.  i could be the mighty warrior or a peacemaker.  i had to make that choice and let go before i went on the attack because I guarantee i wouldn't have been correcting this person in a loving manner.  

I found two versions of this song.  not really sure yet which one i like best.

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