Thoughts on Christ and His Word

Everyone has has a purpose in life.  But finding that purpose and accomplishing it can prove a daunting challenge. This is why mentors are needed.  Barnabas mentored Paul. Paul mentored Timothy. Each man helping the other to conquer and succeed in his area of ministry. Young men are in real need of older godly men to guide them while they fulfill their God-given purpose. Howard Hendricks wrote that "young men need a champion of the faith to help them conquer their God-given territory.". Our job as older leaders is to help them identify and conquer their territory/ministry.

Many people go around ANGRY these days. They yell at the Wal-Mart cashier, they make obscene gestures to people in other cars, and then come home and yell at their spouse and kids. David gives us a helpful tip on how to deal with anger: In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  Psalms 4:4 One way to start dealing with your anger is to "search your hearts and be silent."   Take your anger to God in prayer.  Ask Him "why am I so angry?".  Through prayer and meditation on key passages in the Bible you can begin to discover the reasons for you anger. Read the Psalms, Jonah, the life of Joseph, and David. Compare your life to what your reading and ask God for the wisdom to apply what you learn to your life. Psalms 4:4 begins with "In your anger do not sin".   Be aware that regardless of the reasons for your anger, you are not justified in God's eyes for lashing out at others (...

David Watson was an English Evangelist and author.  Cancer took his life on February 18, 1984.  While he was fighting this disease he wrote a book called Fear No Evil on how he was dealing with this terminal sickness.    In this book David Watson writes: As I spent time chewing over the endless assurances and promises to be found in the Bible, so my faith in the living God grew stronger and held me safe in his hands.  God’s word to us, especially his word spoken by his Spirit through the Bible, is the very ingredient that feeds our faith.  If we feed our souls regularly on God’s word, several times each day, we should become robust spiritually just as we feed on ordinary food several times each day, and become robust physically.  Nothing is more important than hearing and obeying the word of God. I say “Amen” to that.  Let’s all aim at feeding our souls a regular diet of the Word of God.

Some Christians live unhappy lives.  They need to discover the JOY that God promised. One Christian found another one day and asked him if had the "Joy of the Lord" in him.  The second man replied "Yes, he did".  To which the first man said, "Well tell your face, because it looks miserable." Here are a few tips on living a Joy-filled life: 1. Develop a thankful heart. Thank God often throughout the day for the big and small blessing that you enjoy.  The Bible speaks about "Giving thanks to God"  (in some form)  over 80 times.  Paul commands us to  " Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thess. 5:16-18 2. Enjoy legitimate physical pleasures.  Some Christians think that all physical pleasure is evil.  This is a lie from the enemy.  In the Old Testament, God gave the Jews over 10 different festivals (or feasts). Not all were yea...

When we don't like someone staring at us, we might ask them "Who are you looking at?"  Most people don't like to be stared at. But God doesn't mind us looking constantly and intently upon Him.  Especially when we get into trouble. He wants us to call upon Him so that He might get us out of trouble and show His power. When King Jehoshaphat realized that a mighty army was about to attack him he turned his eyes and heart to God.  He prayed... ...we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 2 Chronicles 20:12 God told him to march his people to where the invaders would be.  They sang songs until they got there and found that God had made this vast enemy force to turn on itself and all the enemy soldiers were dead.  They plundered the dead army and found so much loot that it took them three days to haul away all the valuable stuff. When your in trouble, who do you look towards for...

God takes Joy seriously! He takes it so seriously he commands us live in it - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"   Phil 4:4 The phrase "Rejoice in the Lord" appears twelve times in the Bible and 4 of those appear as commands. God wants to help us obey this command, so He gave us His Spirit who strengthens us to live for God in all areas.  But if we look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 we notice that the second characteristic that the Spirit produces in us (right after "love") is "Joy". But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience... Galatians 5:22 Why does God want to live in Joy? For at least two reasons. One, God is the most Joy-filled being in the universe.  God is not this grumpy old man looking down waiting for someone to get out of line in order to zap him.  He is filled with Joy. When we are filled with Joy we become more like God. Two, God's Joy in us makes sin l...

The tribes of Israel east of the Jordan River wanted to expand their territory so they picked a fight with the Hagrites and some other peoples.  They has trained for such battles for the Bible says: "The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle." 1  Chronicles 5:18 They had done their part, now God was about to do His... "They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him." 1 Chronicles 5:20 Are you trusting in God to help you win your battles today?