There are some questions that every Christian should be able to answer: Who is Jesus Christ? How does a person become saved? What is faith? However, in this day and age of feel-good Christianity, where church success is measured more by the number of people in the pews than by the character of the congregation, many Christians today have “holes” in their religious doctrine.
Recently, my pastor pointed out that in many churches, there are some fundamentals of Christianity that are being overlooked. He said that it is possible for people to sit in service Sunday after Sunday and still walk away not knowing much about their faith. And, he mentioned, this is an epidemic that affects many church leaders as well as members. So he has called for our congregation to get back to the basics.
It starts with the stuff that used to be taught in Sunday School years ago: Knowing the books of the Bible. Understanding the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Being able to quote the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. Then, it moves on to more advanced teaching: Knowing about Abraham and God’s covenant with him. Understanding the significance of Jesus’ lineage. Realizing why He and His followers were persecuted.
Some people may protest, “Hey, I’m not interested in becoming a Bible scholar!” But the truth is, without a good grasp of the basics, many Christians today are lost, easily swayed and compromised. In case you were wondering how I would answer some of the basic questions posed above, I turn to the Word: Who is Jesus Christ? (John 1:1-14) How does a person become saved? (Romans 10:9-10) What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1)
I want to live holy—not “holey”! What are your thoughts? Leave a message!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Stay Focused!
Sometimes it seems like it is so easy to lose focus. For example, after deciding to start a new exercise program to lose weight, all of a sudden the calendar gets so crowded, there’s hardly any time to get to the gym. Or after getting inspired to sit down and write the next great American novel, suddenly, there are a million other things to do. The key to reaching your goal is staying focused.
There are so many distractions out there. Everything seems to compete for our attention, especially when we’ve made up our mind to do something very specific. Sometimes legitimate concerns crop up: It’s hard to stay focused on going back to school and finishing a degree when you have to worry about childcare and raising a family. And sometimes our distractions are frivolous: It’s hard to focus on starting your own business when your time off from your regular job is filled with going out, shopping, or having a good time with friends.
Focus is precious. And it is so easy to lose. Even during our walk with Christ, we tend to become distracted. Matthew 14:22–33 gives the account of Jesus walking on water. When Jesus called out for Peter to join Him, at first, the disciple seemed to have solid footing. But Peter became distracted by the boisterous wind and began to sink. So often, we are distracted by what’s going on around us, we lose our focus on Christ. Thank God that Jesus is there to reach out His hand and catch us when we start sinking, like He did for Peter that day on the lake!
When I’m losing my focus because of life’s distractions, I’m turning my thoughts to Jesus. He’ll help me reach my goal!
There are so many distractions out there. Everything seems to compete for our attention, especially when we’ve made up our mind to do something very specific. Sometimes legitimate concerns crop up: It’s hard to stay focused on going back to school and finishing a degree when you have to worry about childcare and raising a family. And sometimes our distractions are frivolous: It’s hard to focus on starting your own business when your time off from your regular job is filled with going out, shopping, or having a good time with friends.
Focus is precious. And it is so easy to lose. Even during our walk with Christ, we tend to become distracted. Matthew 14:22–33 gives the account of Jesus walking on water. When Jesus called out for Peter to join Him, at first, the disciple seemed to have solid footing. But Peter became distracted by the boisterous wind and began to sink. So often, we are distracted by what’s going on around us, we lose our focus on Christ. Thank God that Jesus is there to reach out His hand and catch us when we start sinking, like He did for Peter that day on the lake!
When I’m losing my focus because of life’s distractions, I’m turning my thoughts to Jesus. He’ll help me reach my goal!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What do you expect?
In medicine, there is something called the “placebo effect.” Studies have proven that a placebo (or sugar pill) can be just as effective as an actual drug. Regardless of the disease or problem, when patients expect that a drug is going to help them get better, they usually show some improvement. The placebo effect holds true across just about every illness category imaginable. And it goes to show you the power of great expectations.
As believers in Christ, there should be no limit to our expectations. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus himself says, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
If a sugar pill can relieve severe pain, how much more can even a small amount of faith in God meet our needs? My brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s put our faith into action and remember that with God, nothing is impossible.
I’m expecting great things!
As believers in Christ, there should be no limit to our expectations. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus himself says, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
If a sugar pill can relieve severe pain, how much more can even a small amount of faith in God meet our needs? My brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s put our faith into action and remember that with God, nothing is impossible.
I’m expecting great things!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Write through the Pain
Someone once told me that one of the tricks of the enemy is making you feel like you’re the only one who has ever gone through a particular situation. This makes sense, because in times of war, prisoners are often tortured in isolation. That’s why it’s so important for us to share our stories with one another—even the ones that we find are difficult to put down on paper.
There may be times when we find ourselves in a situation that causes us to plead, “Why me, Lord?” Even the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that he was inflicted with a stressful situation, a “thorn in my flesh.” I have been taught that this was more than just a physical inconvenience, that this “thorn” was causing Paul was causing Paul some emotional distress.
The first thing that Paul did was ask the Lord to remove the thorn. And while God is faithful to answer our prayers, in this instance, He told Paul in verse 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So although Paul was allowed to continue to suffer this trial, he was not alone. He had the grace of God to help him get through.
The second part of verse 9 is also very revealing. The Lord says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” This reminds me that through our trials and tribulations, it is the power of God that not only gets us through, but encourages others. When we emerge from our situation— not only are we spiritually stronger, but we come out with a testimony that glorifies the name of God and has the power to help others get through.
Your testimony is a powerful tool that God can use. That means that like Paul, when you’re faced with a thorn in your life, write about it. Put it on paper. Share it with others. Here we are, centuries later, but millions of Christians all over the world can read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and relate to Paul’s testimony. How many people today can relate to yours?
I’m not going to let the enemy keep me from sharing my story!
There may be times when we find ourselves in a situation that causes us to plead, “Why me, Lord?” Even the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that he was inflicted with a stressful situation, a “thorn in my flesh.” I have been taught that this was more than just a physical inconvenience, that this “thorn” was causing Paul was causing Paul some emotional distress.
The first thing that Paul did was ask the Lord to remove the thorn. And while God is faithful to answer our prayers, in this instance, He told Paul in verse 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So although Paul was allowed to continue to suffer this trial, he was not alone. He had the grace of God to help him get through.
The second part of verse 9 is also very revealing. The Lord says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” This reminds me that through our trials and tribulations, it is the power of God that not only gets us through, but encourages others. When we emerge from our situation— not only are we spiritually stronger, but we come out with a testimony that glorifies the name of God and has the power to help others get through.
Your testimony is a powerful tool that God can use. That means that like Paul, when you’re faced with a thorn in your life, write about it. Put it on paper. Share it with others. Here we are, centuries later, but millions of Christians all over the world can read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and relate to Paul’s testimony. How many people today can relate to yours?
I’m not going to let the enemy keep me from sharing my story!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Let Us Pray
I recently participated in an amazing 5-day prayer teleconference and heard a surprising statistic. Did you know that the average Christian prays less than 10 minutes a day? That’s right—of the 1,440 minutes we have in each day, the average Christian sets aside less than 10 of those minutes for talking to God in prayer. In light of this statistic, would you consider yourself an average, below average, or above average Christian? Read on!
How do we pray?
In Matthew 6:5–15, Jesus tells us how to pray. He begins by warning us not to be pretentious or superfluous with our prayers. Then, Jesus goes on to give us the familiar prayer opening of, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” which many of us know as the Lord’s Prayer. Many religious experts call this the “Model Prayer,” and consider it an outline for structured prayer. Yet we know that any simple, but humble prayer is also pleasing to God.
When and where should we pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, “pray continually.” Now, that doesn’t mean that we have to be on our knees at all times or at specific intervals throughout the day. Prayer can take place at any time and any where. We can pray during the day or night. We can pray on our knees or while walking, driving, or working.
What should we pray for?
In Ephesians 6:18, after telling us to put on the whole armor of God, Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Our prayers should not only be for ourselves and our needs, but we should also remember our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers.
Expanding your prayer life
• Set aside a specific time each day for prayer, such as when you wake up in the morning or just before bed at night.
• Pray with your family. When children see their parents praying, they begin to develop good prayer habits of their own.
• Find out from your pastor or church secretary if your church holds prayer sessions during the week. Corporate prayer is a wonderful and powerful experience.
• If you have a special prayer request and would like someone to join you in praying for your need, send an email to Rev. Heather Greene (host of the 5-day prayer teleconference) at prayerrewards@yahoo.com.
Don’t forget…seven days without prayer makes one weak!
How do we pray?
In Matthew 6:5–15, Jesus tells us how to pray. He begins by warning us not to be pretentious or superfluous with our prayers. Then, Jesus goes on to give us the familiar prayer opening of, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” which many of us know as the Lord’s Prayer. Many religious experts call this the “Model Prayer,” and consider it an outline for structured prayer. Yet we know that any simple, but humble prayer is also pleasing to God.
When and where should we pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, “pray continually.” Now, that doesn’t mean that we have to be on our knees at all times or at specific intervals throughout the day. Prayer can take place at any time and any where. We can pray during the day or night. We can pray on our knees or while walking, driving, or working.
What should we pray for?
In Ephesians 6:18, after telling us to put on the whole armor of God, Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Our prayers should not only be for ourselves and our needs, but we should also remember our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers.
Expanding your prayer life
• Set aside a specific time each day for prayer, such as when you wake up in the morning or just before bed at night.
• Pray with your family. When children see their parents praying, they begin to develop good prayer habits of their own.
• Find out from your pastor or church secretary if your church holds prayer sessions during the week. Corporate prayer is a wonderful and powerful experience.
• If you have a special prayer request and would like someone to join you in praying for your need, send an email to Rev. Heather Greene (host of the 5-day prayer teleconference) at prayerrewards@yahoo.com.
Don’t forget…seven days without prayer makes one weak!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Choices
In the movie The Matrix, the main character, Neo, is given a choice to make. The character Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, holds out both hands. In one hand is a blue pill that allows Neo to continue to exist in ignorance. In the other hand is a red pill that allows Neo to discover knowledge beyond his imagination. Fortunately for science-fiction lovers everywhere, Neo chooses the red pill and the rest is futuristic history. In real life, we’re also faced with choices to make every day. And those choices can set forth a series of events in our lives that can be to our benefit—or to our distress.
Oh, but if only our choices were as simple as the blue or red pill. At least then, we would know what we’re dealing with. But in reality, we’re not always clearly aware of the consequences of our choices. Obviously, we know it’s wrong to steal and that we shouldn’t commit a murder or cheat on our spouse. But what about when we choose to blow off a responsibility because we just don’t feel like doing it? Or when we choose to give someone a “piece of our mind” because they got on our last nerve?
The truth is, we don’t have a Morpheus to tell us the consequences of our choices. However, as Christians, we have God’s Holy Spirit, who is there to help us make the right choices. That’s why it’s so important to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, fasting and commitment to studying the Word, we can tune our spiritual ears to the voice of the Spirit.
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua stands before the assembly of the Israelites prior to his death. He tells them to make a choice. Either they will follow after their own desires or choose to follow God. The assembly pledges to follow the one true God as Joshua has done. As Christians, we have made the choice to follow God. And as followers, our subsequent choices should reflect the will of our Father.
I choose to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit in the choices I make.
Oh, but if only our choices were as simple as the blue or red pill. At least then, we would know what we’re dealing with. But in reality, we’re not always clearly aware of the consequences of our choices. Obviously, we know it’s wrong to steal and that we shouldn’t commit a murder or cheat on our spouse. But what about when we choose to blow off a responsibility because we just don’t feel like doing it? Or when we choose to give someone a “piece of our mind” because they got on our last nerve?
The truth is, we don’t have a Morpheus to tell us the consequences of our choices. However, as Christians, we have God’s Holy Spirit, who is there to help us make the right choices. That’s why it’s so important to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, fasting and commitment to studying the Word, we can tune our spiritual ears to the voice of the Spirit.
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua stands before the assembly of the Israelites prior to his death. He tells them to make a choice. Either they will follow after their own desires or choose to follow God. The assembly pledges to follow the one true God as Joshua has done. As Christians, we have made the choice to follow God. And as followers, our subsequent choices should reflect the will of our Father.
I choose to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit in the choices I make.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
When We’re Faced With the Test
As a student, I always prided myself on my good study skills and retention of knowledge. And every test I passed was confirmation of my academic strength. However, as a Christian, I’m not always as secure that my studying of the Word is up to par or that I am as good at retaining wisdom. And when the tests of life come my way, I’m not always sure that I’m spiritually strong enough to pass them.
Recently, I was faced with a pretty obvious spiritual test. Without getting into the gory details, I immediately recognized the principles at work. I had two choices. I could either a) do what I wanted to do or b) do what God would have me do in the situation. Unfortunately, I chose the first option and failed the test. Miserably.
In the days to follow, I felt as though I had a big, red, “F” emblazoned across my heart. But you see, the great thing about God is that He is an excellent Teacher. When we fail, he doesn’t just give us the “F” and send us on our way. He convicts and then corrects. He shows us why we failed and gives us the wisdom we need to help us when we’re faced with the test again. (Oh, and trust me, my brothers and sisters in Christ, there is ALWAYS a make-up test.)
That’s why it is so important to stay in the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
When we’re faced with the tests of life, it’s great to know that the answers are in the Book!
Recently, I was faced with a pretty obvious spiritual test. Without getting into the gory details, I immediately recognized the principles at work. I had two choices. I could either a) do what I wanted to do or b) do what God would have me do in the situation. Unfortunately, I chose the first option and failed the test. Miserably.
In the days to follow, I felt as though I had a big, red, “F” emblazoned across my heart. But you see, the great thing about God is that He is an excellent Teacher. When we fail, he doesn’t just give us the “F” and send us on our way. He convicts and then corrects. He shows us why we failed and gives us the wisdom we need to help us when we’re faced with the test again. (Oh, and trust me, my brothers and sisters in Christ, there is ALWAYS a make-up test.)
That’s why it is so important to stay in the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
When we’re faced with the tests of life, it’s great to know that the answers are in the Book!
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