The Correct Combination Nov.30

 

And Jesus whispered:

"Righteousness and intelligence should go together when understanding Kingdom of God principles. A person who guides only with intelligence and no right doing should be avoided. A person who tries to lead with righteousness and no intelligence cannot be as trustworthy either. Intelligence may only point to worldly conclusions. Righteousness alone tends toward emotional bondage. Led by the Spirit, trust the person who uses both energies to bridge an understanding in your Savior."

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that the Holy Spirit does not trick us with thoughts or emotions like some people.

The First Cause Nov.23

 

When Jesus said, “I am the Way” he refers to the added fact he is the first designer. He is the value center of the universe, the ultimate reality. You can see him in the glow of a fire. See him in the stirring branches of the wind. See him in the richness of the soil. See him in the sparkle of water. He is not literally within these things. These things reflect him as the Creator and first cause of these. He is the first beauty of all things.

Who really cares? Nov.20

 

     

The heavenly Father can dispense goodness to anyone because He is all love. He sustains compassion on all He has made. His love-kingdom vibrates as an everlasting kingdom and will last throughout the generations. YOU do not have to earn it. He gives freely. Nothing stops His love energy but rejection can wound it.

Hope Nov.19

 

And Jesus whispered:

"I give you parable." 

"At night, picture yourself standing in a newly framed house with no roof overhead. You could still look up and see the stars. No matter how dark the inside is or how uncertain your circumstances are around you, look up. I am still here."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your very existence. I will trust you are always here.

God's first act Nov. 18

 Jehovah God's first act was sacrifice. He must have given a part of Himself to create the universe. It stays a mystery, but not later, as He gave His Son and the Holy Spirit.

Influence of power Nov.17

 The way in which the Gospel makes influence has little to do with what we think of as power, wealth, or popularity. The true way has to do with service, being the hands and feet of Jesus to do the unpopular.

Result of God's love

 A wonderful result of The Father's love is that Jesus presents the Father to all his culture can provide. And at the same time, He is changing culture to what it ought to be. Patiently He waits for a person, a society, a culture to grow to the place of correct acceptance.

Why Trinity? Nov.15

 Because of the Trinity---God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is never a time God is not personal. He is always family, in communion, sharing love. He is never just an idea or general influence "out there." He stays in relationship to His creation.

General or Specifics? Nov.14

 We make a little mistake to think there is a lot of generality in scripture. But, in the Bible, everything is grounded in relational story, personal issues, and couched in specific actions. Scripture reveals the Jesus reality.

What we know Nov.13

 Any community that says it believes and follows Jesus, but minimizes love, soon becomes a group that attacks the souls of humanity and beats down the best values in culture. 

The Heart of Christ followers Nov.12

I quote a brother who has gone on to glory:

"There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life apart from an immersion and embrace of community." (Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, Eugene Peterson, p.227)

Main Christian Challenge Nov.5

 "And he answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' (Luke 10:27)

What is all?

Heart (emotions, feelings)

Soul (Self in decision-making)

Strength (Physical activity)

Mind (perspective, thinking)

Neighbor (Any, because they can experience Christ)

Generosity Nov.9

 Greatest act of graciousness summarized by "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt.5:3.

Thought Process Nov.4

 

When you dwell upon an idea, the brain interprets it as a strong possibility for action. Every day consider Christian values that truly enrich life behavior.