3/4/12 – The Holy Spirit – our helper
As I consider the gospels and the times of Christ, I can only imagine how many times the disciples would run to Jesus to tell Him of their troubles and concerns. I would imagine that they would come to Him as children do to their parents. They knew that it was He who would help them in their time of need. Sadly though, those days come to an end for the disciples. His time on earth had come to an end and now He was about to ascend into heaven. No longer would they be able to see Him face to face and bring their petitions to Him. No longer could they rest their weary heads on His shoulder and be comforted by Him. He was gone, but they were not alone! Jesus sent to them a helper, counselor, and friend known as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to fill the gap that Jesus had left in the disciples’ lives. He would instruct and lead just as Jesus did while here on earth. This Holy Spirit would reveal God’s love to mankind until the return of Jesus. God the father sent the Son out of love and Jesus Christ sent His Holy Spirit out of love. May we open ourselves up to His influence and care in our lives. May we allow Him to work and minister in our lives.
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2/26/12 – What is Lent?
There are many in the Evangelical church who have no idea of the meaning or significance of the Lent season. I believe that a lot of the reason behind this is that it has always been associated with other denominations and beliefs which are far more inclined toward liturgical worship. Sadly, the baby has been thrown out with the bath water on this topic and tradition. I know for myself and for many others not familiar with this time of year on the church calendar, we have wondered what the ash crosses on our fellow friends and neighbors means. It is a mystery as to why someone would have this on their forehead. Ash Wednesday and the time following through to Easter Sunday has great meaning and purpose behind it. It is a preparatory time for the coming of the greatest event in the history of the world – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent is a time of remembrance of God’s great grace and love shown to us. It is a time of reflection and examination of where we stand in our Christian faith. Are there things in our lives that need to be changed? Lent is a time of soul searching and review. During this time, many choose to fast from certain things. Many, during this time, put a greater emphasis on prayer; it is also a time of generosity to others who have greater needs than us. Lent is an opportunity for renewal and restoration in our lives. Lent is a time for us to express joy and gratitude to God for what He brought about on the cross of Calvary.
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2/19/12 – Why we pray in Jesus name
The question of why we pray in Jesus name is one that has been asked by many over the centuries. In order to understand and appreciate the reason for praying this way, we must recognize the role and position of Jesus. The scriptures are very clear that Jesus is and was God in the flesh. Understanding His humanity is essential if we are going to understand why we pray in His name. Christ was sent to this earth as a person with two very specific roles. He was sent as a prophet and priest. He was responsible for bringing God’s message of salvation and redemption to the world as well as being responsible for bringing the people’s petitions before God. Because of His sinless nature and sacrifice on the cross, He is able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He goes to God and intercedes on our behalf. This man, Jesus Christ, now sits at the right hand of God interceding for all who call on Him. He is an eternal and unchanging high priest. Through Him, we have access to the Father at anytime and anyplace.
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2/12/12 – An enduring Love
Do you have an enduring love? One which goes beyond your spouse’s outward appearances and quirks? A love which endures together one for another despite life’s setback and challenges? We all know that relationships are hard and challenging. Life has a way of snuffing out the flame that once burned brightly. How can we reignite that passion once shared with our significant other? It can only come through agape love. A love demonstrated by God to us and needed in order to love others as we should. It is a love of commitment and sacrifice even when not deserved or appreciated by another whom we demonstrate it to. May we recognize that when we demonstrate God’s love in this way towards out spouses, we can rise above our set-backs and difficulties and begin to experience a love and relationship that will last a lifetime.
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2/5/12 – Big Buts
We humans tend to have a lot of big buts. This goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. We can’t do this or that because of excuses, or we do this or that because of excuses. We find lots of buts to make ourselves look good. We like to blame things on other people or circumstances. We simply do not want to fess up to our faults and shortcomings. We like to live in that which is comfortable and safe. Most people would prefer to stay where they are in their lives than experience the challenge and discomfort of change, even if it means life will be better for them. God doesn’t want our excuses, He wants our hearts and obedience. He desires us to reach outside of ourselves and attempt something that might be uncomfortable and out of the norm. God has greater plans for you and I, but we must be willing to do our part and trust that He will be faithful to do His part in fulfilling His mission in us.
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1/29/12 – The Blessings of Tithing
The subject matter of tithing is a very sensitive one to discuss. It is much easier to talk about those things which make us feel warm and fuzzy all over – topics such as God’s love and grace and mercy. Leaving out that which makes us uncomfortable is not healthy for any of us. This subject matter of tithing needs to be addressed, because it is scriptural and our attitudes regarding it are a very clear sign of our spiritual health. We, as Christians, are warned again and again in God’s word to not hold too tightly to material things. All of our resources are the Lord’s and we are simply stewards of them. If we, as individuals, truly recognize this fact, that all of our security rests in God and God alone, we will find it easy and enjoyable to give back to God what is His.
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1/22/12 – Sanctity of Life
Whether young or old, born or unborn, all of us must recognize that God has given to each of us a wonderful and priceless gift. That is the gift of life. Genesis, chapter one, tells us that when God created the heavens and the earth, He also chose to create man and woman in His own image. He breathed life into them and He placed great value upon them. They were valuable not because of their talents or abilities, or because of certain criteria or qualities. Their value existed because of God’s great love for them.
Sadly, many today have lost this respect for the God-given gift of human life. Many in our world have chosen and decided who may exist and who may not. In the midst of this, we, as God’s disciples, must stand up and proclaim the sanctity of life. We must be a voice for the helpless. It’s vital that we know and understand what is going on and what we can and should be doing about it.
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1/15/12 – Chet Caudill, National Speed-the-Light Director
Chet Caudill, National Speed-the-Light Director, shares an inspiring message at Crystal Hills Assembly.
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1/1/12 – Wisdom in the New Year
Have you ever considered what your friends and family will say about you when you’re gone? How will those who know you best sum up your life and influence? Even more important, how will God sum up your life and character? The beginning of a new year is an excellent time to ask ourselves those questions. We must examine our lives and evaluate our choices and the decisions we have made up to this point in time. Are we living wisely or unwisely? How are we choosing to live our lives? The best way to find the answer to that question is to ask ourselves if we have higher priorities in our lives than Jesus Christ and His priorities. If we are living in a way that we know goes against God’s word and dishonors His plan and will for our life, we are living unwisely. As we enter this new year, let us decide to let God’s will be done in every area of our lives.
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12/25/11 – What is the meaning of Christmas?
Why is Christmas so special? What is there about the birth and life of Jesus Christ that makes Him stand out as being different from all the other babies born in Israel some 2000 years ago? In human terms, He didn’t do any of those things that would associate Him with greatness. He wrote no book, He had no army, He was not wealthy, and He enraged the nobility of Israel to the point that they executed Him on a cross between two thieves. In human terms, that should have been the end of it, but it wasn’t. Did it have to do with who Jesus really was and is – the son of God? Has it to do with His mission here on the earth – to reconcile mankind to God? It is quite a paradox to think that the man Jesus, who was crucified some 2000 years ago is the same one, who, one day, mankind will exalt on high and confess that He is Lord. In our secular and materialistic society, Christmas seems to be all out the giving and receiving of gifts. We, as a society, seem to have lost the true reason for the season. Christmas is and should be about Jesus. He is the central figure of the holy day.
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