Love Is The Proof That God Changed My Life.

"If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead." 1 John 3:14 (NLT)

Love for Mary . . . love for his God, both simultaneously motivated Joseph to act. A carpenter by trade, his sandaled feet straddled the dirt of the ninety miles necessary to enroll in the census decreed by the Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus. Tenderly caring for her needs, without that love, Mary might have never reached Bethlehem alive! When we are outside of love, we are outside of the will of God, no matter how justified we feel. We read in 1 John 3:14 that "if our life has been changed, it will be proven by the love we show towards others." Most of us would deny the fact that we hate anyone because hate is such a strong term. But the truth is, if we do not actively exercise the love of God toward the people around us, we express hate towards them.

I have seen people in the ministry brutally criticize, step on others, and defame those with whom they work in order to accomplish their ministry goals, as if God's call was solely to build a big ministry. We must understand, however, it is never right to disrespect people, no matter how just the cause. Even though offenses come, we must be certain that they do not come through our hands.

If we do not strive to walk in love with the people around us, we prove that our lives have yet to be touched by God. Without love, whatever we do in the end results in destruction and failure. Without such love, the world might not have seen the Savior's birth. Jesus said it like this: "You will know them by their love..." The question you must ask yourself is: do others know me by my love?

Daily Confession
Father, I thank You that I prove I am changed by the love I show towards my brothers and sisters. I imitate You and love others as You love me.

by Robb Thompson

Always Remember...God is Good!

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. "(Psalm 107:1, NLT).

As a young man growing up, I loved to play baseball. And like any child that ever put on a uniform, I dreamed one day of making it to “the big leagues.” In the world of baseball, there’s nothing bigger than Yankee Stadium, and on Saturday night, I stood at second base in front of a packed crowd.

But instead of a baseball glove in my hand, I had the Word of God. A dream had come true – and it was better than I could have possibly imagined.

Our historic night of hope from Yankee stadium was the first non-baseball event ever held at the world-famous ballpark, and it was also our first open air stadium event as a ministry. It was a night Victoria and I will never forget.

My prayer is that the tens of thousands in attendance and the millions more watching on television will always remember – God is good!

When it feels like your dreams will never come true, when the challenges, pain and pressures in life become overwhelming, you’ll be tempted to forget that God is good. His Word reminds us that His faithfulness and His love endure forever.

God’s goodness is stronger and mightier than anything you’ll face in life. If you’ll keep holding on to your dreams and thanking God for His goodness, He’ll make your dreams come true. And it’ll be better than you could ever have imagined.

On behalf of our entire ministry team, Victoria and I would like to thank you for helping to make this amazing night happen. We believe that God did something extraordinary in the hearts of everyone who experienced this powerful event. We know we could not have done it without your prayers and support.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank you for being so good and loving us so much. Help us to always give thanks, no matter what we’re going through, because we know that we can count on your faithful love that endures forever. Give us the courage to keep holding on to our dreams as we trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

He is strong in you!

Today's Scripture

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"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…" (Romans 8:26 NLT).

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Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

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Sometimes, people get distracted by what they consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in their lives. It may be something about their personality or looks that they don't like. Or maybe they've been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal, or a bad break. We all have things that can feel like disadvantages; things that make it harder on us. It may even be a physical handicap where you can't get around like you used to.

But just because you have a "disadvantage," just because you've been through a tough time, doesn't mean you're supposed to sit back and settle where you are. God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you. The Holy Spirit wants to help you when you feel weak. If you will stay in faith and not get negative toward yourself or your future, then God can take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset. What you think is a disadvantage, God will turn around to be an advantage so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

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A Prayer for Today

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Father in heaven, today I give You all that I am. I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can turn them into strengths. Thank You for working in my life and filling me with faith and expectancy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

religious jokes

Just a Poor Preacher
"I'm just a poor preacher."
"I know. I've heard your sermons."

Grandpa, Did YouKnow Noah?
Grandson (staring at his grandfather): Grandpa, were you on the ark when the Flood came?
Grandpa: No, certainly not.
Grandson: Well, then, why weren't you drowned?

E-mail Me a Prayer
I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after me the lines from the prayer.
Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer:
"Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some e-email. Amen."

Snow Days
A heavy snowstorm closed the schools in one town. When the children returned to school a few days later, one grade school teacher asked her students whether they had used the time away from school constructively.
"I sure did, teacher," one little girl replied. "I just prayed for more snow."

How Many Christians Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?
Charismatic: Only 1 - Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal: 10 - One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None - Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None - Candles only. (Of guaranteed origin of course.)
Baptists: At least 15 - One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Episcopalians: 3 - One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons: 5 - One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined - Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene: 6 - One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None - Lutherans don't believe in change.
Amish: What's a light bulb?

St. George and the Dragon
A tramp knocked on the door of the inn known as St. George and the Dragon. The landlady answered the door.
The tramp said, "Could you give a poor man something to eat?"
"No," said the woman, slamming the door in his face.
He knocked again and said, "Could I have a few words with George?"

Q & A: Before Boaz Married
Q: What kind of man was Boaz before he married?A: Ruthless
Q: What do they call pastors in Germany?A: German shepherds.

Making God Laugh
You know how to you make God laugh?
Tell him your plans.

Bee Inconspicuous
Two bees ran into each other. The first bee asked the other how things were going.
"Really bad," said the second bee. "The weather has been really wet and damp and there aren't any flowers or pollen, so I can't make any honey."
"No problem," said the first bee. "Just fly down five blocks and turn left. Keep going until you see all the cars. There's a Bar Mitzvah going on and there are all kinds of fresh flowers and fruit."
"Thanks for the tip," said the second bee, and he flew away.
A few hours later, the two bees ran into each other again.
The first bee asked, "How'd it go?""Great!" said the second bee. "It was everything you said it would be."
"Uh, what's that thing on your head?" asked the first bee.
"That's my yarmulke," said the second bee. "I didn't want them to think I was a wasp."

Letter Home
A college student wrote a letter home:
Dear folks,
I feel miserable cause I have to keep writing for money. I feel ashamed and unhappy. I have to ask for another hundred, but every cell in my body rebels. I beg on bended knee that you forgive me.
Your son, Marvin
P.S. I felt so terrible I ran after the mailman who picked this up at the box at the corner. I wanted to take this letter and burn it. I prayed to God that I could get it back, but I was too late.
A few days later, he received a letter from his father:
Dear Son,
Good news! Your prayers were answered. Your letter never came!

A Joke for Kids
Q: Why was Adam a famous runner?
A: Because he was first in the human race.

Activating Faith Instead of Fear

We have many opportunities each day to worry and live in fear, from being worried about the economy and our health to our family and children, the list could go on and on! But did you know faith and fear have something in common? They both ask us to believe something is going to happen that we cannot see. Fear says, "Business is slow. You're going to go under." But faith says, "Your best days are still out in front of you." When we give in to thoughts of fear, our perspective becomes distorted. Fear is like a fog. It makes things look worse than what they really are. It might look intimidating, but there is nothing really to it, just a bunch of vapors that can fit in a small glass.

Use your energy to believe and not worry. Our God is all-powerful. He has brought you through in the past, and He is going to bring you through in the future. Surround yourself with people of faith who will speak victory into your life. If you'll be disciplined in your thought life and learn to choose faith instead of fear, you're going be filled with a constant peace and confidence. You were created for a life of victory, not to have your enthusiasm and joy stolen by fear. Choose to walk in faith today. Remember, it takes the same amount of energy to worry as it does to have faith. So switch your gears to having faith and trusting God. God works everything out for good and to your advantage!

-Joel Osteen-

Inspiration for difficult times

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid
spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy..

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Keep well now and be positive!

You're not alone

You're not alone if you are still unconvinced about the reasonableness of faith in Christ. But keep in mind Jesus' claim that we don't have to solve our doubts on our own. He said,"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching come from God or whether I speak on My own" (John 7:17)

If you do see the reasonable of faith in Christ, the Bible offers to you the reassuring promise: " As many received Him, to chose who believe in His name" (John 1:12). The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for effort, but a gift to all who put their trust in Him.

Honesty Must Be Laid As The Foundation Of All Personal Excellence.

"Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty." Proverbs 11:3 (NLT)

While the shepherds' hearts were flooded with great joy, the rest of Bethlehem slept, unaware that the true Savior of the world had come, wondrously called, "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." How can we excel in any area of life without possessing the awesome virtue of honesty? We must be truthful with where we are, where we want to go, and with our Creator. When we walk in honesty, it causes us to progress in life like never before, and likewise prevents us from going backwards. As we cultivate honesty in our lives, excellence is a daily by-product. Many times, people are unwilling to be honest with where they are in life because they know the report would be dismal. Remember, we cannot disregard our actions of disobedience and then haughtily claim we are the righteousness of God. When we evaluate our present position, we discover the truth hidden in the preconceived actions of yesterday.

Examining ourselves causes us to come to grips with the truth. When we embrace the truth our actions declare of us, we begin to move in the direction God desires for us. We cannot change what we don't know. We can only move forward as we are willing to change. God Himself placed leaders over us who see the weaknesses we possess. They understand if our weaknesses are not addressed, our progress comes to a halt. Our leaders prove their love by their willingness to tell us the truth at the cost of our disliking them. Truth hurts, but it liberates us if we learn to embrace it. Ask yourself, and ask those above you, exactly what you need to change. Your response determines the excellence in which you walk.

Daily Confession
Father, I thank You that I am guided and directed by honesty. I choose to be honest with You, myself, with those You place above me.

EXCELLENCE

A Man's Progress In Life Is In Direct Proportion To His Continual Pursuit Of Excellence.

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)

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Most Biblical scholars agree; the Middle Eastern landscape, particularly the area known as the "Fertile Crescent", is some of the most excellent terrain for agriculture in the world. Useful plants such as wheat, oats, barley, and rye originated in their natural habitat. Their strains spread throughout Africa, Europe, and finally the West. Without that excellent soil, we might not even enjoy our morning toast!

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Long ago, someone pursued that excellent soil, tilling, weeding, and harvesting it in order that they might receive the prize of fresh grain. Remember "good enough" is not acceptable behavior to a man of excellence. We must refuse the temptation to merely settle.

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Many people have what I like to call the "destination syndrome." People reach a certain goal or point in life, and for some reason, their pursuit stops. They settle contentedly at this one destination they worked so hard to attain, perched like a weary crow. But the moment we settle in life is the moment we no longer make any progress. And nature reveals to us that anything that does not grow (as in those lovely grains) is in the process of dying.

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Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I press toward the goal for the prize of Your upward call in Christ Jesus. I pursue excellence and therefore I make continual forward progress.

~耶穌與看門的人~

寓意很深的故事~~~~~
> > 我們常執著於自己認為對的事情
> > 並說服別人相信我們的看法 採用我們的做法
> > 因為我們認為是為了他好
> > 其實一件事情有多個面向
> > 你看的這一面 或許跟對方所看的那一面並不相同
> > 爭執 往往就是這樣的發生
> > 唯有把心打開 容納身邊所有的可能與不可能
> > 才能讓我們的心靈得到快樂
~耶穌與看門的人~
> 北歐一座教堂裡，
> > 有一尊耶穌被釘在十字架上的苦像，
> > 大小和一般人差不多。
> > 因為有求必應，
> > 因此專程前來這裡祈禱，膜拜的人特別多，
> > 幾乎可以用門庭若市來形容。
> > 教堂裡有位看門的人，
> > 看十字架上的耶穌每天要應付這麼多人的要求，
> > 覺得於心不忍，他希望能分擔耶穌的辛苦。
> > 有一天他祈禱時，向耶穌表明這份心願。
> > 意外地，他聽到一個聲音，說：
> > 「好啊！我下來為你看門，你上來釘在十字架上。
> > 但是，不論你看到什麼、聽到什麼，都不可以說一句話。」
> > 這位先生覺得，這個要求很簡單。
> > 於是耶穌下來，看門的先生上去，
> > 像耶穌被釘在十字架般地伸張雙臂，
> > 本來苦像就雕刻得和真人差不多，
> > 所以來膜拜的群眾不疑有他，}
> > 這位先生也依照先前的約定，
> > 靜默不語，聆聽信友的心聲。
> > 來往的人潮絡繹不絕，
> > 他們的祈求，有合理的，有不合理的，千奇百怪不一而足。}
> > 但無論如何，他都強忍下來而沒有說話，
> > 因為他必須信守先前的承諾。
> > 有一天來了一位富商，
> > 當富商祈禱完後，竟然忘記手邊的錢便離去。
> > 他看在眼裡，真想叫這位富商回來，
> > 但是，他憋著不能說。
> > 接著來了一位三餐不繼的窮人，
> > 他祈禱耶穌能幫助它渡過生活的難關。
> > 當要離去時，發現先前那位富商留下的袋子，
> > 打開一看全部都是錢。
> > 窮人高興得不得了，
> > 耶穌真好，有求必應，萬分感謝地離去。
> > 十字架上偽裝的耶穌看在眼裡
> > 想告訴他，這不是你的。
> > 但是，約定在先，他仍然憋著不能說。
> > 接下來有一位要出海遠行的年輕人來到，
> > 他是來祈求耶穌降福他平安。
> > 正當要離去時，富商衝進來，
> > 抓住年輕人的衣襟，要年輕人還錢，
> > 年輕人不明究理，兩人吵了起來。
> > 這個時候，十字架上偽裝的耶穌終於忍不住，遂開口說話了...
> > 既然事情清楚了，富商便去找冒牌耶穌所形容的窮人，
> > 而年輕人則匆匆離去，生怕搭不上船。
> > 偽裝成看門的耶穌出現，指著十字架上說：
> > 「你下來吧！那個位置你沒有資格了。」
> > 看門人說：「我把真相說出來，主持公道，難道不對嗎？」
> > 耶穌說：「你懂得什麼？那位富商並不缺錢，他那袋錢不過用來嫖妓，可是對那窮人，卻是可以挽回一家大小生計；
> > 最可憐的是那位年輕人，
> > 如果富商一直纏

2. Unwanted Grace Came to an Unresponsive Heart (Jonah 1:3)

Jonah 1:3 ~ But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

A. Unwanted Grace Came to a Self-Centered Heart.

Nineveh was in a weakened condition, and Jonah wanted it to stay that way..

Jonah knew of Nineveh’s cruelty and also of its expansionist desires..

Later Hosea, one of Jonah’s contemporaries prophesied that Assyria would take Israel captive, and Jonah knew that could happen..

Yet God told his prophet to go Nineveh – but his prophet didn’t want this grace from God..

Jonah was called to the greatest evangelistic ministry in history, but he turned it down..

He didn’t want God’s unwelcome, uninvited grace..

D. Unwanted Grace Comes as a Opportunity that’s more that we want.

All too frequently we are like Jonah – we don’t want God’s grace initiative in our hearts because it will call us away from our comfort and our security and our desires to care from cruel and troubled place like Nineveh..

Examples: Moses was done with challenge and was satisfied with tending sheep.. But a burning bush got his attention and called him to the greatest leadership opportunity which was key to all that Moses became..

Jeremiah: tired of weeping, of being single, “I do not, I will not say another word from You!”

What made them great was God’s unwanted grace..

Peter – he wanted a crown but Jesus gave him a cross. His response? “Never will I let you take the cross.” “Peter, not only I will take up the cross, you will too.”

Paul – burdened for the Jews would die for them, but God called him to the Gentiles..

And even if this is not the case, God’s initiating grace always calls us to something we cannot do, something that is overwhelming for us, something that frightens us because it is so demanding..

Think of it – Jonah was called to go to a city of 600,000 and tell them about God’s demands on them, but he would be the only believer there.. There was no steering committee, no team, no advance men and women, no counselor training, just Jonah – and God..

And how did Jonah respond. He rose up and went as far in the opposite direction as he could from Nineveh..

NO LEADER BECOMES A LEADER WITHOUT UNWANTED GRACE – The grace to die with dignity and the grace to live with impact..

If you think you can do your job, and you have managed on your own, God’s unwanted grace is always standing at the door.. God never never, never gives us supernatural things to do.. He only has God-sized tasks..

Leadership is not primarily what you do. The real thing about it is HOW YOU GROW. You are in leadership to grow in public, so others can learn how to grow while watching you..

C. Unwanted Grace Comes as a Opportunity

“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

This word of unwanted grace from the LORD called him to action: Arise and go – get up and get going.. There is immediacy, urgency in this word from the LORD..

This word of unwanted grace from the LORD called him with direction: to Nineveh.. Nineveh was what he did not want to hear – Nineveh was what made this word a word of unwanted grace..

Nineveh was the capital of an ancient called Assyria, located in modern Iran.. Nineveh was 550 miles from Samaria where Jonah lived.. Nineveh was a city of 600,000 people.. Nineveh was a Gentile city, and no one spoke Hebrew there, although many spoke Aramaic there, so Jonah could make himself understood.. Hebrew prophets would not be all that welcome in Nineveh..

Nineveh was a cruel city.. The kings of Assyria developed the concept of captivity, in which a conquered people would be moved from their home territory and settled elsewhere, while alien people would be settled in their former home.. One of their Kings boasted he had make a mountain red like wool by cutting off the head of some warriors he had defeated and piled their skulls as a pillar in front of their city.. Others boasted of flaying their enemies alive (cutting off their skin) and stretching their skin on the city wall..

At the time Nineveh was in trouble.. In the recent years before Jonah received this word from the LORD, they had experienced two plagues and also a total eclipse of the sun, which they took to be a bad omen of something bad about to come upon them.. They were divided politically and in a very weak condition.. Left to themselves, they would collapse in a short time..

Summary: The prophet received word from the LORD that called him to action and gave him direction..

That word also gave him motivation..

God was concerned about their wickedness..

Jonah was given the opportunity to have greatest evangelistic impact in history, but he didn’t want it because he was politically and culturally opposed to Nineveh and did not have God’s heart for them..

B. Unwanted Grace Comes as an Intrusion

It is quite evident that Jonah wasn’t looking for the privilege God has in mind for him..

It was much more of an intrusion than anything else..

It disrupted Jonah’s life and called him to do something he didn’t want to do..

Jonah was one of 16 men in all of history who were called to be prophets in the way he was called.

Jonah’s life was the way he wanted it to be..

He was a prophet..

He was recognized as a prophet..

He was a successful prophet according to II Kings 14:25..

He had said his king, Jeroboam II, would expand his kingdom’s border greatly and it came true..

This meant success, blessing, economic prosperity, and Jonah was a prophet with a popular message..

But the God unwanted grace comes along with a new word, a word Jonah doesn’t want. Even though it is a word of opportunity..

1. God Sends Unwanted Grace. (Jonah 1:1-2)

Jonah 1:1-2 ~ the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

A. Unwanted Grace Comes as a Privilege

The word of the Lord was.. Jonah didn’t ask for it.. He didn’t plan for it.. He did nothing to get it.. He did not earn it and it was just there – it just showed up..

We don’t know how he got it.. We don’t know if he heard it.. Or sensed it.. Or felt it.. Or saw it.. Or he just received it..

Now remember this is the word of the LORD..

Every time we see LORD un upper case letters we must remember it means Yahweh, God’s formal name, His covenant making and covenant keeping name..

Yahweh is God’s initiating name – the name used to speak of His initiative to enter our lives.. In the Garden of Eden, with the call of Abraham, the commissioning of Moses – all the way throughout the Old Testament Yahweh initiates and this initiation is always an act of grace, even when it is not welcome in the lives of those with whom He initiates.

Yahweh is also God’s covenant making name, His commitment making, legal contract signing name, and everything He does grows out of the covenant He has made.

So unwanted grace comes from the covenant keeping god who is constantly making grace initiatives in our lives..

unwanted grace - intro

How do we respond to God’s unwanted grace?

How do we respond when God’s grace comes charging into our lives?

When it doesn’t knock on the door – or ask permission, or say how do you do, or have a nice day, or could we sit down and talk?

When it just barges in and takes over.

That’s the problem with grace, you know – it cannot be controlled; it is not predictable or rational; it cannot be owned.

Grace does exactly what grace wants to do when it wants to do it.

I can hear many of you protesting, objecting to the idea of unwanted grace.

Perhaps you’re saying, I want all of God’s grace I can get. There’s no such thing as unwanted grace.

Perhaps. Let’s see if this is true. Let me ask you a question.

Suppose we put two signs over these two doors,
One that says “Grace to have a great life, a wonderful family, a challenging and satisfying career, financial security, with excellent health right up to the end.”
And we had a sign over this door that says “Grace to die with cancer.”

Which line would you get in?

We don’t want the grace to die of cancer if we can possibly avoid it. Of course we want it if there’s nothing we can do about it, but none of us would get in the cancer line. That is certainly unwanted grace. None of us unwanted grace.

Or let me ask you this.

Let’s say your life is going well – a ministry that is strong and stable, or perhaps you’re very satisfied in a support role, very satisfied as a leader in your ministry, but you were challenged by someone in another strategic area, different from what you’re doing now – leading by email, contacting people by cell phone, not direct ministry – you don’t want to move up the ladder, to move into greater responsibility, to face greater pressure to travel and be gone one-third of the time.

But the pressure is there, and God’s unwanted grace is calling you, disrupting you demanding that you do something for God you don’t want to do.

How do you respond to God’s unwanted grace?

How welcome is God’s disruptive, life changing, redirecting grace?

- time to reflect -

By Bill Lawrence Th.M., Th.D.

Don't read if you are immature.. Seriously..

Why do we ((sleep)) in [[school]],
But stay ((awake)) through a [[3 hourmovie]]?

Why is it so ((hard)) to talk about[[God]],
but so ((easy)) to talk about [[sex]]?

Why are we so ((bored)) when we look at a [[Christian magazine]],
but find it ((easy)) to read [[Playboy]]?

Why is it so easy to ((ignore)) a [[Godly]] bebo bulletin,
Yet we ((repost)) the [[nasty]] ones?

Why are ((churches)) getting [[smaller]],
But ((bars and clubs)) are [[expanding]]?

Why is it so easy to purchase {beer} and {drugs}?
But so hard to donate 25 cents for a {Charity}?

Why is it so easy to worship a {Celebrity}?
But very difficult to engage with {God}?

Think about it, are you going to repost this?
Are you going to ignore it,cause you think you'll get laughed at?
Repost this as "dont read if u r immature ....seriously"80 % of you wont repost this.

The Lord said: If you deny Me in front of your friends, I will deny you in front of My Father..

Got this post from a friend's blog.. Think about it..

Prayer

Last week i had attended Bethel's family camp. The title of the camp is ' Teach us how to pray'.
This camp has struck me. Let me share something that I have learned in this camp.

( Driven to pray)
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. Mark 1:12
This verse show that Jesus was drive to pray. So, are we driven to pray? Driven is what we would do every single day and constantly, not fitfully. Many people do not drive to pray. If we not driven to pray, slowly we will stop praying after some times. Therefore, we need to make prayer as the most natural thing in our life. When we encounter something in our life, the first thing come to us is prayer. If we want to make ourselves driven to pray, we need to touch our feeling. We are unable to pray for somebody or something without any feeling. Beside that, we also need the Spirit of God to help us because we won't be driven on our own, we have to work with Spirit of God and Spirit of God will helps us.

There are many things will block us to pray, demon will try what ever he can to stop us pray.
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:16
This show that Jesus prayed oftenly. So we also need to pray oftenly.
Luke 11.1
Jesus didn't teach his disciples to pray until they asked him how to pray. We need to have the desire to pray. We would not pray if we dont have that desire. Have you ever asked God how to pray? we have to really learn desire to pray.

Hypocrisy is a severe problem of prayer as well.
Matthew 6:7 said that when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. God would not interested in these prayer that have been repeated again and again. Moreover, prayer is about the whole relationship with God. We can build a good relationship between us and our father. As God is our father, we need to be polite when we pray to God and learn how to respect our father. We also need to practise our prayer everyday.

(Determination)
Prayer must be followed by action. So, say less and pray more. A feeling has to be aroused to be pray. Driven lead to determination. Do we have the determination to pray? Do we concentrate in our prayer? If we have the determination, our concentration will be increase by second to a second.

(Discernment)
Discernment will bring us wisdom. Daniel 2:21 - he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. We have to seek God in prayer.

We have to work hard in our prayer life. Do not say we cannot make it. We have to believe that power of God is working in ME. Are you believe this in all your heart?

These is part of the thing that i have learned. Will share the other in the next post. Hope you all understand what i am trying to convey.

走吧!我不需要你!

看了这篇文章的标题, 有没有一种我要和某人分离的感觉? 哈哈.. 其实.. "你"是指撒旦..

干嘛我会无缘无故说起它呢? 刚刚看了我干儿子的部落格.. 有感而发.. 他发现最近每个人都很忙.. 连他自己也是.. 嗯.. 我也忘了他是怎样发现的.. 他发现其实使人忙碌也是魔鬼的技俩.. 它很成功的让人因为忙碌而没时间或忘记敬拜神, 与神亲近..

为了三餐温饱.. 没有缺乏金钱烦恼.. 人.. 忘记了神.. 或把爱我们的神挤出头等舱了..

不过.. 神还是爱着我们的.. 耶稣在两千多年前为我们死在十字架上.. 他的宝血洗净我们以前和现在的罪.. 既是这样.. 只要我们向他承认我们的过犯.. 求神的灵再次管理我们的生命..这是神所喜悦的..

最后.. 我要大声的说:

走吧! 撒旦! 我要把你赶出我的生活.. 因为我根本不需要你.. 我不会再让你有机可乘..

大使命~

最近好像都没有人得空来这里..
读书的读书..
做工的做工..
我并不是在埋怨任何人..
而是提醒自己..

生命..
真的很短暂..
我教会又有人去世了..
前几天我也差一点点就发生车祸..
还好我在世上的使命还没完成..
不然我可能已经蒙主恩召了..

四月..
很快又要过去了回头一看..
自己从加入学园传道会以来..
到底向多少人传福音?
带领多少人信主?

以前..
我时常都会为自己找借口..
不去传福音..
因为觉得有这方面恩赐的人比我多..
等他们去传就好了..

后来我才发现..
原来传福音..
不只是有恩赐的人的责任..
而是每一个基督徒的责任..
换句话说..
就是我们每一个人的责任..

路加福音28:18-20
耶稣进前来, 对他们说:"天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了, 所以你们要去, 使万民做我的门徒, 奉父子圣灵的名给他们施洗, 凡我所吩咐你们的, 都要教训他们遵守, 我就常与你们同在, 直到世界的末了."

虽然不久前才知道神的这命令是给每一个基督徒的, 不过还不算太迟..
但愿你也和我一样.. 已经拥有协助完成大使命, 就是让全世界的人都有机会听到福音的异象..

向人传福音的确是一件很喜乐的事..
不信的话.. 请尝试吧!

如果你有这方面的负担.. 可以联络我.. 我很愿意帮助你..

不要犹豫了..
让我们同心协力..
把我们身边的朋友, 家人, 亲戚带进神的国吧!
我相信你也不愿意一个人独自在天堂享受.. 而让你身边最亲的人在地域被火焚烧吧?