VERSE:
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
-- Matthew 7:12
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+7:12&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
The Golden Rule -- golden because it's genuine, lasting, and
valuable. Imagine how different our world would be if we practiced
this principle -- not just in our "church life," but in our daily
life ... with our family, ... with our coworkers and employer, ...
with the people we manage, ... with the folks on the freeway and in
the neighborhoods where we drive, ... toward the waiters and
waitresses who serve us. What a wonderfully different world it
would be if the Golden Rule were to be practiced. I think I'll
start changing my world with it today! How about you?
PRAYER:
Generous Father, you have blessed me with so many rich and
wonderful gifts. I can never ever adequately express to you the
thanks you deserve. One thing I want you to know, dear Father, is
that I especially appreciate the way you have treated me with grace
and not with justice or judgment. Give me the power to do the same
with the people my life touches this week. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Keep a Steadfast Mind
Keep a Steadfast Mind
Bishop Keith Butler
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
You probably know your share of people who are messing up their lives big time, and some are already on the brink of destruction. Why is this the case? Well, most people don't practice keeping a steadfast mind.
When your mind is steadfast, then it is firmly fixed in place. Isaiah 26 says, "...whose mind is stayed on thee..." The word 'stayed' is important here because it means your mind is not subject to change. Your mind is firm in belief, determination, or adherence.
For years, I've noticed that many successful people master this issue of the mind. They have learned how to be firmly fixed, or to take the position to follow after what is the right course of action. They will apply their decision to the end and do whatever it takes to sharpen themselves once their minds are determined. This is certainly true regarding the things of God. You'll have victory in your life once you learn to keep a steadfast mind.
Isaiah 26 continues by giving you the reason why you need a steadfast mind. God will keep you in perfect peace. Having perfect peace is what you should strive for. It means regardless of what comes your way, you're cool and even-tempered. Nothing can upset, bother, or destroy you. You're at rest with things and you operate in total confidence.
When you learn to trust in God, the result is perfect peace. Yet, there are many Christians who don't have this peace. Let's examine why. James 1:5 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." You can't go around your whole life as a man or woman of two minds, who is always hesitating. That's being uncertain and unreliable about everything you think, feel, or decide. A steadfast mind is necessary in order to function in God's perfect peace.
James, chapter 5 outlines the problem of an unstable person: he's unstable in all his ways. Do you understand that a double-minded man is not just unstable in one area, but every single area of his life?
But, you can have a steadfast mind! Just keep your mind stayed on God and His principles, and it will produce perfect peace and victory in your life.
Scripture references: Romans 8:6
Bishop Keith Butler
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
You probably know your share of people who are messing up their lives big time, and some are already on the brink of destruction. Why is this the case? Well, most people don't practice keeping a steadfast mind.
When your mind is steadfast, then it is firmly fixed in place. Isaiah 26 says, "...whose mind is stayed on thee..." The word 'stayed' is important here because it means your mind is not subject to change. Your mind is firm in belief, determination, or adherence.
For years, I've noticed that many successful people master this issue of the mind. They have learned how to be firmly fixed, or to take the position to follow after what is the right course of action. They will apply their decision to the end and do whatever it takes to sharpen themselves once their minds are determined. This is certainly true regarding the things of God. You'll have victory in your life once you learn to keep a steadfast mind.
Isaiah 26 continues by giving you the reason why you need a steadfast mind. God will keep you in perfect peace. Having perfect peace is what you should strive for. It means regardless of what comes your way, you're cool and even-tempered. Nothing can upset, bother, or destroy you. You're at rest with things and you operate in total confidence.
When you learn to trust in God, the result is perfect peace. Yet, there are many Christians who don't have this peace. Let's examine why. James 1:5 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." You can't go around your whole life as a man or woman of two minds, who is always hesitating. That's being uncertain and unreliable about everything you think, feel, or decide. A steadfast mind is necessary in order to function in God's perfect peace.
James, chapter 5 outlines the problem of an unstable person: he's unstable in all his ways. Do you understand that a double-minded man is not just unstable in one area, but every single area of his life?
But, you can have a steadfast mind! Just keep your mind stayed on God and His principles, and it will produce perfect peace and victory in your life.
Scripture references: Romans 8:6
VERSE:
VERSE:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+10:13&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
TEMPTATION ... We've all been there. Satan's silver bullet
designed just for us personally. "No one will ever know; besides it
won't hurt anybody!" some mysterious voice sounding like our own
whispers. Even if those two statements were true, and they never
really are, it would matter because something inside of us caved in
to what we knew was wrong. One line of defense is to simply remind
ourselves we are not alone in this temptation -- others have faced
it and conquered it, so we can too, by God's help and the power of
his Holy Spirit.
PRAYER:
Most Holy Father, guard my heart from temptation and my life
from sin. I want to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Forgive
me for my past sin, and by your grace and through your word,
strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I may overcome the
temptations that Satan uses to separate me from you. Through my
Protector and Redeemer I pray. Amen.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+10:13&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
TEMPTATION ... We've all been there. Satan's silver bullet
designed just for us personally. "No one will ever know; besides it
won't hurt anybody!" some mysterious voice sounding like our own
whispers. Even if those two statements were true, and they never
really are, it would matter because something inside of us caved in
to what we knew was wrong. One line of defense is to simply remind
ourselves we are not alone in this temptation -- others have faced
it and conquered it, so we can too, by God's help and the power of
his Holy Spirit.
PRAYER:
Most Holy Father, guard my heart from temptation and my life
from sin. I want to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Forgive
me for my past sin, and by your grace and through your word,
strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I may overcome the
temptations that Satan uses to separate me from you. Through my
Protector and Redeemer I pray. Amen.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Let This Mind be in You
Let This Mind be in You
Alan Riley
One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is found in the second chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians.
The book of Philippians is special because of who wrote it, who it was written to, why it was written, and where the author was when he wrote it.
The book was written by Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles who took the gospel to the world. It was written to the church at Philippi to thank them for a financial gift brought to Paul from the church. Paul had a very special place in his heart for the Philippian church, and the warm, loving words of the letter reflect this. It was written from a Roman jail cell about ten years after Paul first preached in Philippi. It was on that visit that Lydia was saved and, after an earthquake freed the prisoners, but none fled, the Philippian jailer and his family came to know Christ.
Now Paul is Nero's prisoner in Rome, confined in a Roman prison under difficult circumstances. Yet this letter brims with joy, assurance and victory. The second chapter contains what scholars tell us is probably the earliest recorded Christian hymn, and a passionate plea from Paul for us to imitate the loving and humble spirit of our Lord Jesus.
The word that is translated "mind" in the Bible sometimes refers to our thinking process, but most often it refers not to the process but to what we are thinking - to our attitude. As early as the book of Proverbs, we are told "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). In this passage, Paul says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (NKJV) The New International version says it this way: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." The attitude of Jesus was that of humility and love. It was His humility that allowed Him - the sinless Son of God - to take on the role of a servant, and even to die a humiliating death at the hands of men.
Verses 5-11 contain the lyrics to that early hymn of the church. The Message translates the hymn this way:
Though He was God,
He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being
When He appeared in human form,
He humbled himself in obedience to God
And died a criminal's death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
And gave him the name above all other names,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
In heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.
For over two thousand years, the followers of Jesus Christ have sung these words in many different languages and to many different tunes. Yet the message is the same: Because of His obedience and humility, God has given to Jesus a name that is above every name, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow and acknowledge that He is Lord.
And in that second chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us that we need to have the same humility, the same love, the same compassion, and the same obedience as Jesus as we relate to each other in the family of God and as we reach out to the world around us to tell them about His love.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!
Alan Riley
One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is found in the second chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians.
The book of Philippians is special because of who wrote it, who it was written to, why it was written, and where the author was when he wrote it.
The book was written by Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles who took the gospel to the world. It was written to the church at Philippi to thank them for a financial gift brought to Paul from the church. Paul had a very special place in his heart for the Philippian church, and the warm, loving words of the letter reflect this. It was written from a Roman jail cell about ten years after Paul first preached in Philippi. It was on that visit that Lydia was saved and, after an earthquake freed the prisoners, but none fled, the Philippian jailer and his family came to know Christ.
Now Paul is Nero's prisoner in Rome, confined in a Roman prison under difficult circumstances. Yet this letter brims with joy, assurance and victory. The second chapter contains what scholars tell us is probably the earliest recorded Christian hymn, and a passionate plea from Paul for us to imitate the loving and humble spirit of our Lord Jesus.
The word that is translated "mind" in the Bible sometimes refers to our thinking process, but most often it refers not to the process but to what we are thinking - to our attitude. As early as the book of Proverbs, we are told "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). In this passage, Paul says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (NKJV) The New International version says it this way: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." The attitude of Jesus was that of humility and love. It was His humility that allowed Him - the sinless Son of God - to take on the role of a servant, and even to die a humiliating death at the hands of men.
Verses 5-11 contain the lyrics to that early hymn of the church. The Message translates the hymn this way:
Though He was God,
He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being
When He appeared in human form,
He humbled himself in obedience to God
And died a criminal's death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
And gave him the name above all other names,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
In heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.
For over two thousand years, the followers of Jesus Christ have sung these words in many different languages and to many different tunes. Yet the message is the same: Because of His obedience and humility, God has given to Jesus a name that is above every name, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow and acknowledge that He is Lord.
And in that second chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us that we need to have the same humility, the same love, the same compassion, and the same obedience as Jesus as we relate to each other in the family of God and as we reach out to the world around us to tell them about His love.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!
THE SEED OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
THE SEED OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 4:13-16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+4:13-16
Dear Father, father of the faithful,
Thank you for the marvelous promise made to Abraham and his seed,
that they should inherit the world. Thank you that it depends on
faith, so that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to
all his descendants, not only those who are adherents of the law
but to everyone who shares the faith of Abraham, who is father of
us all.
Praise be to you, beneficent God, that I can be a descendant of
Abraham, not by being born in his lineage but by being born from
above by his kind of faith, the life-giving seed that makes me one
of his children.
Thank you that this is possible through Christ. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.
Romans 4:13-16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+4:13-16
Dear Father, father of the faithful,
Thank you for the marvelous promise made to Abraham and his seed,
that they should inherit the world. Thank you that it depends on
faith, so that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to
all his descendants, not only those who are adherents of the law
but to everyone who shares the faith of Abraham, who is father of
us all.
Praise be to you, beneficent God, that I can be a descendant of
Abraham, not by being born in his lineage but by being born from
above by his kind of faith, the life-giving seed that makes me one
of his children.
Thank you that this is possible through Christ. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Work In Progress
Work In Progress
Lisa Crum
A few years ago while I was still newly-employed at my last secular job, I kept hearing my boss refer to the "year-end WIP reports" (I thought he was saying "whip!"), and I didn't have a clue what he was talking about until I saw it in writing. W-I-P. Being new to all those accounting office buzz words, and wanting so to make a good impression, I privately asked a co-worker what WIP stands for. She kindly replied, "work in progress."
OK, I now had what the letters stand for, but I still didn't grasp what the term really means. Next stop--internet dictionary. Hmmm...a piece of work that's not yet finished. How interesting. Self-explanatory, actually.
Unfinished stuff. I can totally relate to that, can't you? My stack tray is full of it, and so is my house! But on a deeper level, let's talk about us. I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, "work in progress" in my prayer time this morning. Not having heard that term in months, I had to just sit and mull it over before getting ready for work.
You and I are God's work in progress. As new Christians, we begin as a rough draft (a really rough draft!). In the course of our lifetimes, God has to do a lot of revising, adding, subtracting, changing our thinking, changing our attitudes, undoing what we've done to ourselves and what other people have spoken over us.
That stack of papers on my desk hasn't got a will; the time it takes for completion is entirely up to me and my willingness to whittle it down. However, with God's work in progress, the "worked on" items--we-- have a free will! For that reason, it takes Him all our lives to work out the "bugs." Sometimes we catch on quickly; other times He has to delete the same things from our mindset over and over.
But He's patient. He envisions the finished product and He's so willing to see us through to the end. As long as it takes, as a matter of fact. If you struggle with frustration over your failures, as I often do, know that God's grace is sufficient. No matter how often you've fallen flat on your face, or "almost but not quite" succeeded in fulfilling your destiny, it's not so late in the game that God can't redeem the time for you.
He's an expert at implementing "Plan B" for all of us who didn't get it right the first (or second, or third!) time. Hop back up onto Father God's worktable today and allow Him to do a new thing in your life. He's got plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future...you're His very valuable work in progress.
"...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Lisa Crum
A few years ago while I was still newly-employed at my last secular job, I kept hearing my boss refer to the "year-end WIP reports" (I thought he was saying "whip!"), and I didn't have a clue what he was talking about until I saw it in writing. W-I-P. Being new to all those accounting office buzz words, and wanting so to make a good impression, I privately asked a co-worker what WIP stands for. She kindly replied, "work in progress."
OK, I now had what the letters stand for, but I still didn't grasp what the term really means. Next stop--internet dictionary. Hmmm...a piece of work that's not yet finished. How interesting. Self-explanatory, actually.
Unfinished stuff. I can totally relate to that, can't you? My stack tray is full of it, and so is my house! But on a deeper level, let's talk about us. I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, "work in progress" in my prayer time this morning. Not having heard that term in months, I had to just sit and mull it over before getting ready for work.
You and I are God's work in progress. As new Christians, we begin as a rough draft (a really rough draft!). In the course of our lifetimes, God has to do a lot of revising, adding, subtracting, changing our thinking, changing our attitudes, undoing what we've done to ourselves and what other people have spoken over us.
That stack of papers on my desk hasn't got a will; the time it takes for completion is entirely up to me and my willingness to whittle it down. However, with God's work in progress, the "worked on" items--we-- have a free will! For that reason, it takes Him all our lives to work out the "bugs." Sometimes we catch on quickly; other times He has to delete the same things from our mindset over and over.
But He's patient. He envisions the finished product and He's so willing to see us through to the end. As long as it takes, as a matter of fact. If you struggle with frustration over your failures, as I often do, know that God's grace is sufficient. No matter how often you've fallen flat on your face, or "almost but not quite" succeeded in fulfilling your destiny, it's not so late in the game that God can't redeem the time for you.
He's an expert at implementing "Plan B" for all of us who didn't get it right the first (or second, or third!) time. Hop back up onto Father God's worktable today and allow Him to do a new thing in your life. He's got plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future...you're His very valuable work in progress.
"...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
VERSE:
VERSE:
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh.
-- Galatians 5:16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+5:16&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
I don't want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with
blue wings. Now quit. I don't want you to think about it anymore.
You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much
less one that flies on blue wings. Of course the point is simple:
the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and
insure we do what we are not supposed to do. That's why the gift of
the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move
beyond our sin -- not by focusing on it and refusing it, but by
enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God.
PRAYER:
Abba Father, I thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that lives
in me and is now interceding with you for me. Please fill me with
your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and
focuses on your concerns. Through Jesus, who poured out your Spirit
upon me at my baptism, I pray. Amen.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh.
-- Galatians 5:16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+5:16&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
I don't want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with
blue wings. Now quit. I don't want you to think about it anymore.
You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much
less one that flies on blue wings. Of course the point is simple:
the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and
insure we do what we are not supposed to do. That's why the gift of
the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move
beyond our sin -- not by focusing on it and refusing it, but by
enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God.
PRAYER:
Abba Father, I thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that lives
in me and is now interceding with you for me. Please fill me with
your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and
focuses on your concerns. Through Jesus, who poured out your Spirit
upon me at my baptism, I pray. Amen.
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