Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Lord's Prayer
I cannot say OUR - if my religion has no room for others and their needs.
I cannot say FATHER - if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.
I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN - if all my interests and pursuits are In earthly things.
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME - if I who am called by His name am not holy.
I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME - if I am unwilling to surrender my own sovereignty, and accept the righteous reign of God.
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE - if I am resentful of God's will in my own daily life.
I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN - unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service, here and now.
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, - without expending honest effort for it, or if I ignore the genuine needs of my neighbour.
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US,- if I continue to hold a grudge against anyone at all.
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION- if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL - If I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.
I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM - If I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.
I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY - If I am seeking my Personal glory first.
I cannot say FOREVER - If I am overly anxious about the affairs of today.
I cannot say AMEN - If I cannot honestly say :-"This is my prayer,- cost whatever it may!"
The Starfish
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said- "It made a difference for that one."
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
attributed to Loren Eisley
*thanks to Darsono - hope there'll be another from you..*
He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said- "It made a difference for that one."
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
attributed to Loren Eisley
*thanks to Darsono - hope there'll be another from you..*
Temptation
- It bears repeating: If something looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is exactly that -- too good to be true. Or maybe it's a matter of being too bad for you.
I don't know what tempts you. Maybe it's some get-rich-quick scheme you've read about in a magazine. Maybe it's sex. Or power. Or prestige. Maybe it's all of those things.
Our lives are full of "opportunities" that, in truth, are inopportune for us. But how do we tell the difference between those challenges that are good for our character and those that will ensnare us? It's not always clear-cut. And it's almost never easy.
But God has some guidelines and some comforting works for us as we face the temptations of our lives. You can read about it in 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 and James 1:12-16. Although sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by our desires to have that which would ought not have, it is reassuring to remember that God promises us the strength to handle these challenges to our character and our conscience.
At the least, it gives us the courage to pray the familiar petition: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
More Scriptures on temptation
Following the links below will take you straight to the Bible text:
- Psalm 119:11 -God's Word helps you stand.
Matthew 4:1-11 -Even Jesus was tempted.
1 Corinthians 10:13 -He'll provide a way out.
1 Peter 1:6-7 -Rejoice! Even in temptation.
2 Peter 1:3-4 -Divine power to escape corruption.
James 1:2-6 -Testing produces perseverance.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 -Equipped for good work.
Fear
- Perhaps you've seen the "No Fear" t-shirts, which speak to the courage of the world-class athlete. The best performers, it is asserted, do not choke. Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, game on the line. No fear? Third down and long yardage, late in the fourth quarter, down by five points, hunched over the center to receive the snap. No fear?
In fact, there are some extraordinary athletes who seem to thrive on the pressure, who elevate their game when it means the most and all eyes and all hopes are fixed on them.
But for the rest of us...
- But, let's be honest: Most of us get dry-mouth at moments like that. In fact, most of us go through the days of our lives, wracked by anxieties and fears. What if my boss finds out my limitations? What if my best friend discovers the real me? What will happen to me when I die?
These are ordinary fears, but you need not be overwhelmed or paralyzed by them. There is an antidote, which the Apostle Paul wrote about eloquently and powerfully in his letter to the church at Philippi. It's contained in Philippians 4:6-9.
Those verses may not fit on a t-shirt, but they are just the right size to slip into your heart. And they point to the truest source of living life and facing death with "No Fear."
More Scriptures on fear
Following the links below will take you straight to the Bible text:
- Psalm 34:7 -God delivers from fear those who fear Him.
Psalm 37:5-9 -Do not fret, but hope in the Lord.
Psalm 55:22 -Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you.
Jeremiah 32:27 - Is anything too hard for the God of all mankind?
Jeremiah 33:3 -Call to Him and He will answer you.
Matthew 6:25-34 -Do not worry about your life.
Hebrews 13 :5-6 - I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
1 Peter 5:7 -Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
Weariness
- A generation ago, sometime in the 1970's brave futurists were forecasting a leisure oriented life for workers on the eve of the 21st Century. They predicted 30-hour work weeks and long, activity-packed weekends on boats, golf courses, tennis courts and hiking trails.
Well, things didn't quite turn out that way. Even though technology has given us the tools to do our work faster than anyone imagined possible, even 20 years ago, most people I know are devoting more hours to their jobs. And they're dedicating more time to learn the technology that is supposed to free us up.
The pace of the rat-race seems to never slow down. And we find ourselves driven to do more and more things.
A timeless call to the overburdened
- We grow tired and weary. But technology, for all of its wonders, has no answer for our weariness. God, however, issues a timeless call to all those who are overburdened and in need of a rest stop -- for the body and for the soul. You may find that comforting call in Psalm 23, one of the most familiar Psalms in the Bible, and again in Matthew 11:28-29.
Most of you won't hear this message from your boss or from your coworkers today, so hear it from me: In the hurricane of activities that make up your days, take time to ponder the meaning of your life. In the blur of the day's events, stop and smell the flowers. And when you rest, fall into the arms of the God who made you to be a creature of work -- but also of play and of worship. And when you can't take the time to stop your body's activity, at least refresh your mind with the knowledge that He's there and He cares.
More Scriptures on weariness
Following the links below will take you straight to the Bible text:
- Psalm 119:28 -Call to Him for strength.
Isaiah 40:29-31 -Hope in the Lord renews strength.
Isaiah 50:4 -The word that sustains the weary.
Jeremiah 31:25 -Refreshment for the weary.
Galatians 6:9 -Don't become weary in doing good.
Hebrews 12:2 -Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.
DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
God wants you to be sure.
The Bible says, "These things have I written unto you that believe
on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know ye have eternal life"
(1 John 5:13)
Another question to consider is:
Suppose you were standing before God right now
and He asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"
What do you think you would say?
You may not know what you would say, But...You can know,
because God loves you and has a purpose for your life.
The Bible states it this way, "God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3;16)
GOD'S PURPOSE IS THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
We receive eternal life as a free gift.
"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
(Romans 6:23)
We can live a full and meaningful life right now.
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
(John 10:10)
We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven.
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also"
(John 14:3)
Eternal life gives meaning to life. Yet...
Our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's
purpose for our lives. Thus...
OUR NEED IS TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROBLEM.
We are all sinners by nature and by choice.
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23)
We cannot save ourselves.
"Not of works, lest any man should boast"
(Ephesians 2:9)
We deserve death and hell.
"The wages of sin is death"
(Romans 6:23)
It is true that:
God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and
has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me"
(John 14:6)
The Good News is that God has provided for the forgiveness of our sins.
GOD'S PROVISION IS JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus is God and became man.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"
(John 1:1,14)
Jesus died for us on the cross.
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God"
(I Peter 3:18)
Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
"(Jesus) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"
(Romans 4:25)
That is good news,...
but the only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him.
The Bible says, "As many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
(John 1:12)
The choice is ours. Thus...
OUR RESPONSE IS TO RECEIVE JESUS.
We must repent of our sin.
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin.
"Repent and turn to God, and do works [which give evidence of] repentance."
(Acts 26:20)
Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from our sin.
It's like making a U-turn. As we turn...
We must place our faith in Jesus.
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
(Ephesians 2:8)
Faith is trusting Jesus.
It's like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip
until you trust the plane enough to board it.
To trust totally in Jesus means..
We must surrender to Jesus as Lord.
"If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For...with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation"
(Romans 10:9-10)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven"
(Matthew 7:21)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord means giving Jesus control of our lives.
To give Jesus control of our lives is like driving down the highway with another
person. As long as you are driving, you are in control. If you realize you don't know
the way, but the other person does, you might say, "You take the wheel and drive."
Then the other person is in control and the two of you take the route he chooses.
As evidence of giving Jesus control, you will want to identify with Him.
The New Testament way is to confess Jesus publicly (Matthew 10:32-33)
and to follow Him in baptism and church membership (Acts 2:41)
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
* Does what you have been reading make sense to you?
* Is there any reason why you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?
* Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus right now?
The Bible says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"
(Romans 10:13)
You need to ask the Lord to save you.
Read this prayer and see if it says what you want to say to God.
Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross and was raised
from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my
sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Call upon the Lord in repentance, faith, and surrender, using these
or similar words of your own; and Jesus will become your Savior and Lord.
Welcome to the family of God. You have just made the most important
decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life.
Your assurance...You know you have eternal life because:
God keeps His promises.
You repented of your sin (Acts 3:19).
You placed your faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You surrendered to Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)
God heard your prayer.
"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"
(Romans 10:13)
You need to grow as a Christian.
The Bible calls new Christians "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).
Without certain essentials, babies will not develop normally.
The church is to a new Christian what the home and family are to a new baby.
You identify with your new family by confessing Jesus publicly and by experiencing
believer's baptism. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls"
(Acts 2:41)
Attend church Sunday and share with the pastor that you desire to be
baptized and become a member of the church.
Praying is to spiritual life what breathing is to physical life. Breathing must be
regular and continuous. The Bible says, "Pray without ceasing"
(1 Thessalonians 5:17). Learn to be specific in your praying. "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
God's word is to a new Christian what good food is to a new baby.
Good food is a daily requirement for proper growth. "As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow" (1 Peter 2:2)
Learning to witness is to a new Christian what learning to talk is to a new baby.
Christ commands us to share the good news with others.
"Ye shall be witnesses " (Acts 1:8).
Information taken from the "Eternal Life" tract
produced by the North American Mission Board, SBC.
The Bible says, "These things have I written unto you that believe
on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know ye have eternal life"
(1 John 5:13)
Another question to consider is:
Suppose you were standing before God right now
and He asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"
What do you think you would say?
You may not know what you would say, But...You can know,
because God loves you and has a purpose for your life.
The Bible states it this way, "God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3;16)
GOD'S PURPOSE IS THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
We receive eternal life as a free gift.
"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
(Romans 6:23)
We can live a full and meaningful life right now.
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
(John 10:10)
We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven.
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also"
(John 14:3)
Eternal life gives meaning to life. Yet...
Our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's
purpose for our lives. Thus...
OUR NEED IS TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROBLEM.
We are all sinners by nature and by choice.
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23)
We cannot save ourselves.
"Not of works, lest any man should boast"
(Ephesians 2:9)
We deserve death and hell.
"The wages of sin is death"
(Romans 6:23)
It is true that:
God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and
has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me"
(John 14:6)
The Good News is that God has provided for the forgiveness of our sins.
GOD'S PROVISION IS JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus is God and became man.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"
(John 1:1,14)
Jesus died for us on the cross.
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God"
(I Peter 3:18)
Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
"(Jesus) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"
(Romans 4:25)
That is good news,...
but the only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him.
The Bible says, "As many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
(John 1:12)
The choice is ours. Thus...
OUR RESPONSE IS TO RECEIVE JESUS.
We must repent of our sin.
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin.
"Repent and turn to God, and do works [which give evidence of] repentance."
(Acts 26:20)
Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from our sin.
It's like making a U-turn. As we turn...
We must place our faith in Jesus.
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
(Ephesians 2:8)
Faith is trusting Jesus.
It's like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip
until you trust the plane enough to board it.
To trust totally in Jesus means..
We must surrender to Jesus as Lord.
"If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For...with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation"
(Romans 10:9-10)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven"
(Matthew 7:21)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord means giving Jesus control of our lives.
To give Jesus control of our lives is like driving down the highway with another
person. As long as you are driving, you are in control. If you realize you don't know
the way, but the other person does, you might say, "You take the wheel and drive."
Then the other person is in control and the two of you take the route he chooses.
As evidence of giving Jesus control, you will want to identify with Him.
The New Testament way is to confess Jesus publicly (Matthew 10:32-33)
and to follow Him in baptism and church membership (Acts 2:41)
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
* Does what you have been reading make sense to you?
* Is there any reason why you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?
* Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus right now?
The Bible says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"
(Romans 10:13)
You need to ask the Lord to save you.
Read this prayer and see if it says what you want to say to God.
Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross and was raised
from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my
sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Call upon the Lord in repentance, faith, and surrender, using these
or similar words of your own; and Jesus will become your Savior and Lord.
Welcome to the family of God. You have just made the most important
decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life.
Your assurance...You know you have eternal life because:
God keeps His promises.
You repented of your sin (Acts 3:19).
You placed your faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You surrendered to Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)
God heard your prayer.
"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"
(Romans 10:13)
You need to grow as a Christian.
The Bible calls new Christians "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).
Without certain essentials, babies will not develop normally.
The church is to a new Christian what the home and family are to a new baby.
You identify with your new family by confessing Jesus publicly and by experiencing
believer's baptism. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls"
(Acts 2:41)
Attend church Sunday and share with the pastor that you desire to be
baptized and become a member of the church.
Praying is to spiritual life what breathing is to physical life. Breathing must be
regular and continuous. The Bible says, "Pray without ceasing"
(1 Thessalonians 5:17). Learn to be specific in your praying. "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
God's word is to a new Christian what good food is to a new baby.
Good food is a daily requirement for proper growth. "As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow" (1 Peter 2:2)
Learning to witness is to a new Christian what learning to talk is to a new baby.
Christ commands us to share the good news with others.
"Ye shall be witnesses " (Acts 1:8).
Information taken from the "Eternal Life" tract
produced by the North American Mission Board, SBC.
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