Women In God's Economy Oct.31

Women in God’s Economy

How can a world and even Christianity think women not significant enough?

“Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and His disciples.” [Luke 8:3, GWT].

While Jesus himself traveled from village to city, many women journeyed with Him, and in many ways were co-equal to the men. The women actually provided the practical support for the men to continue spreading the Gospel.

Understand the Long View Oct. 30

Understand the Long View

While we understand that as believers, we have to stay loyal to scriptural teaching and Christ’s example, we also need to work on our perseverance ability.

“. . . spiritually prosperous are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. . . “[Mt.5:11-12, AMPBT].

While as a Christian believer you may be misunderstood, you may also enter a situation that requires long term endurance, like a disrupting neighbor you can do nothing about but move.

Sometimes God needs longer linear time on earth to accomplish His goals and that can include our needing more perseverance quality.

Perseverance comes from persistent dedication to God’s unending word. Sometimes we need to plod along the best we can with what we know, then discover new ideas.

Misunderstandings Do Hurt Oct.29

Misunderstandings Do Hurt

I’m not sure there is any hurt more significant than being misunderstood. Sometimes it’s our own responsibility because we have not been clear in our speaking. Sometimes, misunderstandings happen because others are not trying to hear us.

However, for the Christian believer,

“. . . spiritually prosperous are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [Mt.5:10, AMPBT].

We have to remember that even Jesus was misunderstood in the beginning. He simply stood firm with the truth and did not feel He had to answer every miss-directive.

While to be misunderstood still hurts, our resolve is to remain loyal to Christ and His teachings. The God kind of loyalty finds its way receiving part of heaven.

Try Harmony Oct.28

Try Harmony

In the book of Acts 1:3, we are reminded that after Jesus was crucified, He rose again and appeared to the disciples for 40 days and 40 nights. What must He have told those followers?

I believe He must have re-taught some of the very truths He mentioned before crucifixion by connecting scripture being fulfilled and kingdom principles that should be lived.

One of those important but difficult propositions was “. . . spiritually prosperous are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God.” [Mt.5:9, AMPBT].

What does this mean for the average person?

Sometimes, if you want harmony as a goal, you have to listen to an opposite view and even absorb another’s anger in order to find any peace. Listening and absorbing does not mean you agree. It just means you stay approachable.

See God Oct. 27

See God

“. . . spiritually prosperous are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” [Mt.5:8, AMPBT].

Does this instruction simply mean a person can clean up one’s thinking and action and by the behavior be able to see God?

Cleaning up one’s life can be a good thing, but the scripture speaks about a pure heart. What does that mean?

I think Matthew speaks about a desire the Holy Spirit places in thought and emotion to continue Christ’s Kingdom growth. Behavior change may happen, but a special yearning gets placed deep within one’s soul to crave after the things of God.

That particular hunger and purity wants the attention of the divine more than it wants self-centered activities. The yearning sees God.

Think Kindness Oct.26

Think Kindness

It has been a proven fact that we remember the kind things people have done for us much more than we dwell on the harsh experiences.

“. . . spiritually prosperous are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” [Mt.5:7, AMPBT].

With all the interruptions of a day, God may still bring someone in our path who needs a kind word, like that sales person who deals with grumpy customers every day, the teenager who does not know how to make change, the tiresome slowness of an elderly woman who counts out her pocket change.

We need to pay attention and offer our Christian value of compassion with a kind word.

New Kind of Appetite Oct. 25

New Kind of Appetite

Our lives get bombarded with a new diet, a new menu, a supposed new taste for our taste buds. Of course, the physical does matter, but there is more.

“. . . spiritually prosperous are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be completely satisfied.” [Mt.5:6, AMPBT].

When an individual walks and grows through the little kingdom adventures from the Sermon on the Mount, the person experiences an internal hunger and yearning to grow closer to God.

That particular menu comes from scripture and inspired thinking that so nourishes the individual that more is desired because it satisfies the inner longing to belong to God’s Kingdom.

Maintaining a developing identity that helps feel total belonging satisfies the soul.

A Hard Saying Oct.24

A Hard Saying

“. . . spiritually prosperous are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth.” [Mt.5:5, AMPBT].

Our culture frowns on the meek because we live in an independent thinking society that leans heavily upon the idea of everyone working for individual self-goals.

So, why should the meek inherit the earth?

In God’s economy, the meek are not weak. The meek are not bleak. The meek are not sleek. They know themselves enough in God’s care to allow someone else to be first. They can show long-suffering in the light of injustice. To be meek does not equal failure always. In God’s sight, sometimes meekness wins.

The meek will inherit because we can trust them.

Kingdom of Compassion Oct.23

Kingdom of Compassion

After a person experiences a childlike faith in Christ, the individual moves into an astonishing kingdom.

“. . . spiritually prosperous are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Mt.5:4, AMBT].

We, as Americans, still struggle with the idea of kingdoms. But God has somehow created kingdoms that are better than even a democracy.

When a person mourns, hurts, it is not just those hurts that are circumstantial or self-inflicted by bad decisions. A true believer enters a small kingdom of compassion because we begin to agonize for a world around us, our family, our friends, even those in the larger world we do not know. And along with this experience, God comforts us with His Holy Spirit.

Poor in Spirit Own Heaven Oct.22

Poor in Spirit Own Heaven

In Matthew 5:3, “spiritually prosperous are the poor in spirit. . .” [AMBT] does not mean we are to remain bankrupt in self-worth or even self-image. It simply refers to a time of recognizing an humbleness that realizes the spirit and soul of an individual needs something extra, outside of itself to cling to.

The “poor in spirit” is close to the condition of being a little child, one who accepts, one who knows no arrogance, and one who is all teachable.

And the amazing truth unfolds “. . . and theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The truth unfolds that heaven belongs to us, as well as our belonging to it.

Mercy Wins Oct.21

Mercy Wins

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” [Ja.2:12-13, NIV].

Flavor all your judgments with Christian mercy.

Hold On! Oct.20

Hold On!

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary.”

[Isaiah 40:31, NKJV].

Today, hang on and claim God’s promises.

Never Too Old Oct.19

Never Too Old

The inventor of the push foot pedal trash can basically was Dr. Lillian M. Gilbreth.

She was the mother of 12 children, a psychologist, an engineer, and an author.

She was in her seventies, going strong.

As an active Christian, when I retired, I retired into another profession: writing.

If someone were to ask me what I thought was my best published writing or my best Christian action here on earth, I would have to answer: the next one.

I’m 78 years old and still learning what it means to be Christian and what decent wring is. 

4 Needs of 21st Century Christian Oct.18

4 Needs of 21^st Century Christian

1.   Never stop learning.

“Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light.” [Eph.5:8, GWT].

2.   Copy and follow God as children.

“Imitate God, since you are the children he loves.” [Eph.5:1, GWT].

3.   Study Christ accurately.

“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.” [Eph.4”20, NIV].

4.   Put self second; Holy Spirit first.

“Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” [Eph.5:18, NIV].

Unfading Beauty Oct. 17

Unfading Beauty

Believe it or not, but God holds every believer as beautiful.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment . . . Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” [1 Pe.3:3-4, NIV].

Persistent Grace Oct.16

Persistent Grace

One magnificent truth about God’s Grace is that in the final days of existence, God will give you credit for all the things you did not get done while on earth.

This fact does not mean we should quit trying, but know that God will reward us for doing our best.

“I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.” [Phil1:6, GWT].

God Has No Lack Oct.15

God Has No Lack

When the Apostle Paul tried to tell the Greeks who had a sign up to an unknown god, probably to cover all potential spiritual reasoning, that there is one God only that matters. And He lacks nothing.

“and he isn’t served by humans as if he needed anything. He gives everyone life, breath and everything they have.” [Acts 17:25, GWT].

What they and people today do not accept is God’s love is so magnificent that it does not choose to avoid expressing itself. And that love is complete in God’s Son. He did not need us as much as we needed Him.

Accurate Honesty Oct.14

Accurate Honesty

As believers, we must not only commit to honesty to God, but a staggering honesty about ourselves.

“People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries. Managers are required to be trustworthy.” 

[1 Cor.4; 1-2, GWT].

Living Water Oct.13

Living Water

“Whoever believes in me (Jesus), as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them.” [John 7:38, NIV].

In some ways love is like water:

1.   When water flows down a creek, it (love) cleans out rubbish.

2.   Water (love) gives life.

3.   Water (love), out of control, can damage.

4.   Water (love) pushed correctly can propel, so creative.

5.   Water (love) confined in a container will evaporate.

6.   Water (Love) follows the least resistant course.

Burden Bearers Oct.12

Burden Bearers

As believers in Christ who bears our burdens, we are also to help others through their trauma.

“Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way you will follow Christ’s teachings.”  [Gal. 6:2, God’s Word Translation, GWT].

Jesus a Must Oct.11

Jesus a Must

“God has shown us His love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him.” [1Jo.4:9, NIV].

Salvation:  You can’t have God until you have Jesus.

Rescuer:    You can’t have a Messiah until you have Jesus.

Belonging: You can’t have Christ until you have Jesus.

Power:      You can’t have the Holy Spirit until you have Jesus.

Eternity:    You can’t have the Kingdom of God until you have Jesus.

Jesus is all in all.

Death Not Last Word Oct.10

Death Not Last Word

No reasonable person thinks about death lightly. But when we do face the subject we need to remember that when Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, they evidently gave Satan the power of death over people.

However: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by death he might destroy him who holds the power---"[Heb.2:14, NIV].

When Jesus died and resurrected He took back the power of death for our redemption. We can now live forever.

“When I (John) saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. He then placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever.”  [Rev.1:17-18, NIV]

Christian Decision-making Oct.9

Christian Decision-making

As believers in Christ, life becomes more accurate when asking six questions before making a decision about daily living.

1.   Does this obviously go against God’s will?

2.   Will the decision be illegal or openly immoral to a community?

3.   Will it put me in a potentially bad situation?

4.   Will my outcome hurt influence to others?

5.   Does the judgment compromise my character?

6.   Will the result draw me closer to God?

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives . . .” [James 4:3, NIV].

The Virgin's Kiss Oct.8

The Virgin’s Kiss

During the bloody Inquisition, the church fathers had an invention that was supposed to show a person’s guilt. It was called the “Virgin’s Kiss” and was a statue that the victim was made to kiss. As he or she did so, the image would enclose the person with arms that had hidden in them some 50 knives that impaled the body. Death was the sign of guilt.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Ro.6:23, NIV].

Satan is still a deceiver.

Power of Mutual Agreement Oct.7

Power of Mutual Agreement

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” [Mt18:19-20, NIV].

This is not the only way pray is answered or some model example of praying. Jesus gave the model prayer in Mt.6:9.

And the power of the mutual agreement is based on “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”  Jo.14:13, NIV.

If you ask in Jesus’ name in order to glorify the Father, it will be done.

Ticket to Church Oct.6

Ticket to Church

We pay sixty to one hundred dollars to go to a concert or play to see and hear someone famous.

What if you had to bring one unchurched person to your church every time as your ticket before you could enter?

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” [Prov.3:6, NKJV].

Fear Oct.5

Fear

There are many kinds of fear, from simple worry to outright horror.

 But whatever the intensity, the base of fear remains the same --- a chipping away at one’s faith quality.

That is one of the reasons scripture says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment . . .” 1Jo.4:18.

Jesus offers the perfect love for us to shield against any fear. 

Know Genuine Fact Oct.4

Know Genuine Fact

One way to measure truth when trying to make a decision is:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  1Jo.4:1, NIV.

And how do you test a spirit or attitude about a decision?

Self-talk and ask the idea if it believes Jesus came in the flesh as the true Son of God. If the response is yes, proceed. If No, avoid. 1Jo.4:2.

Who Lives in Us? Oct.3

Who Lives in Us?

More than ever before, it is essential that Christians know who lives in them.

“Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them, and this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” [1Jo.3:24, NIV].

Prayer: Just, thank you Holy Spirit.

Mix Love with Possessions Oct.2

Mix Love with Possessions

How we give and spend our resources truly matters to God’s kingdom.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brother (and sisters). If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” [1Jo.3:16-17, NIV].

Giving becomes a way of laying down your life since possessions are often a representation of the Self.

Every Life a Sermon Oct.1

Every Life A Sermon

When a nation’s political humiliations keep paralyzing the spirit of the common people, Christianity and morals suffer.

See: Ezekiel 24:15-19 in Old Testament.

Ezekiel becomes a sign for the people and points the way that every person can potentially become a living sermon for God.

Ichabod Sept. 30

Ichabod

In folklore, Ichabod Crane was a mythical person. He had trouble with a beautiful girl, a headless horseman, and was never heard from again.

There was a REAL Ichabod in 1Samuel 4:21. He was the son of Phinehas at a time when the arc of God [verse 17] had been stolen.

The name Ichabod name means "the glory of the Lord had left Israel".

When God gets stolen from the center of a person’s life, God’s glorious presence gets blocked.