It is Wednesday, and I have been working on the Bible Study we will do tonight. This is something I have done all my life. Wednesdays mean going to church. There are very few Wednesdays in my life I have not been in church. Tonight we will have a group of people who gather together around some tables and read and study passages from the Bible.
I’m sure there are many people who wonder why we do this. Why would people take every Wednesday night and study an old book? What good does it do?
The Bible is the most published book in the history of books. There is a reason for this. People have discovered that the Bible contains the truths and principles for life. The Bible is God’s inspired Word for guidance in life. The Psalmist put it this way.
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:9-11 NKJV
How can we have guidance in life? We find it in God’s Word. Later in the same Psalm, v. 105 says,
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Do you want to be able to see where you are going in a world that is dark and confused? God’s Word is a great big flashlight that shines along the path.
I have often said that the Bible is a practical book, it works to learn it and apply it. It answers the questions in life. I have been rambling through this life of being a pastor for about 36 years now. I have talked to hundreds of people in many different settings. One constant I have observed is that there is an appreciable difference in the life, life style and results of a person who is applying the Bible in their life and the one who is not. Many times, as I have been talking with a person and they are telling me their life story, it is extremely obvious whether they have or have not been following God’s Word. When a person has been learning and applying the Bible, when they have been letting God’s flashlight guide them, the results are amazingly better. It becomes easy to see the truths of one more verse.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NKJV
Sin brings death and destruction. Jesus brings life. Think about that.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER?
Recently, a group of guys from this area headed south to Texas to go hunting. They piled in to vehicles jammed full of their stuff and started driving – for about 24 hours. When they came back they said they had an awesome time. This included the many hours jammed in to the vehicles to get there and back.
I didn’t have the opportunity to go on that trip, but a few years ago I joined in a similar trip as we drove to Mississippi to help with hurricane relief. This trip was also about 24 hours straight in the vehicle, making occasional pit stops.
One of the we comments expressed about that trip was how great it was because we got to spend time together, visiting, laughing, learning about each other. The "closeness in the vehicle" brought about another kind of closeness. Each member of the trip was a Christian who was going to minister to people in need. We experienced the blessings and benefits of Christian fellowship.
In Acts chapter two, Peter preached a powerful sermon and 3,000 people responded by making a decision to become a follower of Jesus. Peter told the people to repent, to turn around and change their minds by accepting the forgiveness God was offering. This brought them to a total transformation from the inside out.
Romans 12:2 NKJV says:
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
What happened to these people who made that decision on that day in Jerusalem? They joined together in communion based on their relationship with Jesus.
Acts 2:46-47 NKJV
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Wow!!! What a start the church had – an explosive beginning. 3,000 people!!! Amazing. God never saves people so they can wander off by themselves. The three thousand new believers did not scatter, but remained together and devoted themselves continuously to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship.
The early church experienced fellowship through teaching and through the focus of spending time together. It was more than getting together. It was a partnership in the purposes of the Church and a sharing in its message and work.
People enjoy fellowship, enjoy spending time together, based on what they have in common. Among Christians there are many different interests. But, the common connection of Jesus and the Christian life is the strongest connection and brings believers together.
One of the benefits of involvement in a local church is the people one gets to know and appreciate. The common bond of Jesus can take even strangers and quickly bring them together. I have experienced that in travels. I even experienced that traveling over seas and meeting Christians. Even with a language barrier I felt a kinship and fellowship with them.
It usually takes a common interest or experience to bring people together. The common experience brings followers of Jesus together.
I didn’t have the opportunity to go on that trip, but a few years ago I joined in a similar trip as we drove to Mississippi to help with hurricane relief. This trip was also about 24 hours straight in the vehicle, making occasional pit stops.
One of the we comments expressed about that trip was how great it was because we got to spend time together, visiting, laughing, learning about each other. The "closeness in the vehicle" brought about another kind of closeness. Each member of the trip was a Christian who was going to minister to people in need. We experienced the blessings and benefits of Christian fellowship.
In Acts chapter two, Peter preached a powerful sermon and 3,000 people responded by making a decision to become a follower of Jesus. Peter told the people to repent, to turn around and change their minds by accepting the forgiveness God was offering. This brought them to a total transformation from the inside out.
Romans 12:2 NKJV says:
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
What happened to these people who made that decision on that day in Jerusalem? They joined together in communion based on their relationship with Jesus.
Acts 2:46-47 NKJV
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Wow!!! What a start the church had – an explosive beginning. 3,000 people!!! Amazing. God never saves people so they can wander off by themselves. The three thousand new believers did not scatter, but remained together and devoted themselves continuously to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship.
The early church experienced fellowship through teaching and through the focus of spending time together. It was more than getting together. It was a partnership in the purposes of the Church and a sharing in its message and work.
People enjoy fellowship, enjoy spending time together, based on what they have in common. Among Christians there are many different interests. But, the common connection of Jesus and the Christian life is the strongest connection and brings believers together.
One of the benefits of involvement in a local church is the people one gets to know and appreciate. The common bond of Jesus can take even strangers and quickly bring them together. I have experienced that in travels. I even experienced that traveling over seas and meeting Christians. Even with a language barrier I felt a kinship and fellowship with them.
It usually takes a common interest or experience to bring people together. The common experience brings followers of Jesus together.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Missions Convention
Yes, I have again let a long time go in between posts. Again, I will strive to get more consistent.
This is a good time to start over with the blog – we have just had our annual missons convention. There is something special about focusing on missions. It reminds us that God is alive (we can sometimes get so busy that we forget the great things that are happening). It was encouraging to hear the good stories of what is happening in the lives of people who are searching for truth and purpose in their lives.
It was also encouraging to see as people continue to commit to support missions with their finances. Yes, the world is facing an amazing financial future. We don’t know what will happen. We have always used the Faith Promise concept. "Lord, by faith we will trust you to provide so we can give this." Over the years it’s amazing how this has worked. I was excited to see the response.
Just a quick post here today, but I’ll keep trying.
This is a good time to start over with the blog – we have just had our annual missons convention. There is something special about focusing on missions. It reminds us that God is alive (we can sometimes get so busy that we forget the great things that are happening). It was encouraging to hear the good stories of what is happening in the lives of people who are searching for truth and purpose in their lives.
It was also encouraging to see as people continue to commit to support missions with their finances. Yes, the world is facing an amazing financial future. We don’t know what will happen. We have always used the Faith Promise concept. "Lord, by faith we will trust you to provide so we can give this." Over the years it’s amazing how this has worked. I was excited to see the response.
Just a quick post here today, but I’ll keep trying.
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