Tag Archive - Faith

Believe!

April 26, 2012 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27

Jesus gives us the invitation to believe. But to believe is not always easy. We get stuck in situations and circumstances where we lose hope. There are times when it seems like nothing will change. We are looking for that ray of sunshine but all we see are the storm clouds. We want to believe, but doubt is the more natural response because of all we observe.

The Bible says that in all things we are more than conquerors! Romans 8:36) It says thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:56) Jesus himself says to take heart because he has overcome the world! (John 16:33) These are promises to take hold of and to grasp by faith. It may seem like the devil and the world are winning right now. You may feel overwhelmed and defeated. There is nothing within you that can conjure up enough hope to see beyond your troubled circumstance.

If that is where you are, I want you to hear the invitation of Jesus. He invited Thomas to come, see and, touch. Today he gives you the same invitation to come, see, and touch. Confidence and hope does not come by trying to be more positive. Belief not about having enough strength and willpower to overcome doubt. Faith comes by receiving the invitation of Jesus to experience more and more of him. The Bible says, “let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) In other words our faith does not begin with us, it begins with Jesus. If you want faith don’t look at your circumstance. Don’t look within. Look to Jesus.

Thomas thought he needed to see and to touch the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and the wound upon his side. He was overwhelmed by Jesus’ death. But when he saw Jesus, everything changed. Doubt was replaced with belief. It was all Jesus.

My prayer for you is that if you find yourself what seems like an impossible circumstance, that before you seek faith, you will seek Jesus. And when you see Jesus, you will then see with the eyes of faith, the victory he has won for you.

Doubting thomas

April 23, 2012 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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This weeks message is a message on faith. We look at the story of doubting Thomas in John 20:19-31. The goodness of God is sometimes so good that it is unbelievable. Our invitation is not to doubt, but to believe!

When They Wander Away

January 23, 2012 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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Today we we continue this message series entitled “For the Least of These.” This week we focus on what we do as parents when our children turn their backs to the faith they were raised in.

If you would like to go deeper on this subject, make sure to check out the book: When They Turn Away by Rob Rienow.

Leading our Children to Jesus by Example

January 16, 2012 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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Today we we continue this message series entitled “For the Least of These.” This message series is focused on the responsibility of the church and parents to the next generation. The first two weeks of this series will focus on the children we have in our own homes. The third week we will talk about what happens when children wander away from the the Lord. And the final week we will talk about the responsibility we have to the orphan.

The Scripture reading for this message is Deuteronomy 6:1-12.

Talking with Your Kids about God

January 9, 2012 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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Today we start a new message series entitled “For the Least of These.” This message series is focused on the responsibility of the church and parents to the next generation. The first two weeks of this series will focus on the children we have in our own homes. The third week we will talk about what happens when children wander away from the the Lord. And the final week we will talk about the responsibility we have to the orphan.

The Scripture readin for this message is Deuteronomy 6:1-12.

For the Least of These

December 29, 2011 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

Parenting is hard. It is really hard. We want the best for our children. It is really tough to see them go through the struggles in life.

There is some truth to the African parable that “no man, woman, or family is an island. It takes a village to raise a child.” The task of raising a child takes more than just the love of a mom and a dad. It takes a great God along with a caring and loving community that offers support in that task.

This is the role of the church. As a parent myself I see the need for this in a great way. I know I need help and support. That is why I want to set a theme to carry into this new year 2012 – “For the Least of These.” The purpose of this theme is to emphasize the role of the church in helping you the parents raise your children to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

As such there are a couple of things I want to do:

  1. We will kick off a new message series on January 8 called “For the Least of These.” It is all about the church’s responsibility to the next generation. We all have a role in this no matter what stage of life we are in. Some of you who are past the age of parenting young children, but you have some great wisdom to pass down to those of us who do have young children in the house now.

Some of the the things we want to address in this message series is a) the priorities of parenting, b) what do I do when my children wander from the faith?, and c) our mission to “parent” the orphaned (physically and spiritually).

  1. The next thing is we want to hear from you. We know how hard it is to raise children. We are not in this alone, but sometimes we struggle on our own in isolation. We go on and pretend like everything is ok, when everything is not ok. Let’s be real and let’s be honest. Help us help you. Let’s partner together in this. So during the months of January and February we want to set some initiatives in place to hear from you on things like Sunday School, Awana, Morph, Youth, Pre-school and how we might better support you as a church with these efforts. It is not really about the programs. It is about the relationships that are developed between the children, between the children and the church, between the children and the parents, between the parents and the church, and most importantly between the children, the parents, the church, and Jesus. Another goal in all of this is to help facilitate a greater investment on your part in our ministry to our children. Your input, investment, and commitment to the ministry of our children is so critically important in making that ministry relevant and meaningful.

  2. A third item is the children who are orphaned. God needs the church to stand in the gap for these children. They do not have the privilege and support of loving parents like our children have. How can we as a church serve those who are truly “the least of these?” I would love to see a special effort in the coming year to serve our orphan ministries in India and Haiti. Already, Lord of Life does so much for these ministries. This is not even mentioning the more than 100 Compassion Children who have been adopted by you. But can we, with the Lord’s help, do even more? I know that with God, all things are possible.

I am so much looking forward to the new year 2012. Please pray with me that as god unites us as a church body it will be a banner year. Pray a multiplication of people who will be touched by the gospel through our efforts both near and far. Pray for a flowing of the Holy Spirit that when we look back we will recognize that it was only possible by God.

Not Abandoned

November 17, 2011 in Weekly Email with 1 Comment

Maybe one of the most telling statements David ever made was at the beginning of Psalm 22. He asks God, “why have you abandoned me?” Hundreds of years later Jesus would quote these same words on the cross. Can your relate? Have you had times in your life that you may felt as if God abandoned you? Was there a time when you cried out and called out but it seems as if no one was listening?

It is in these moments we learn from Jesus. In Luke 11 he instructs his disciples how to pray and tells the following story starting in verse 5.

Luke 11:5–8 (NLT) 5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

Jesus tells us to come to God with shameless persistence. I find Jesus’ choice of words to be very curious. Shamelessness often has a negative connotation. but that is exactly how God wants us to come to him. When I make a request and the answer is “no,” I will often give up and throw in the towel. I am not the type of person who will not take “no” for an answer. But Jesus is telling us here not to take “no” for an answer. He goes on further to say:

Luke 11:9-12 (NLT) 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!

When God’s child makes a request, God responds. God is not in the business of giving snakes and scorpions. He gives you what is good for you in the right time and the right place. You have not received a snake from God. You have not received a scorpion from God. It is hard to believe that sometimes. It is by faith we receive that is true. We often think we know what is better than God. But God is the Father and we are his children.

Many times the answer to our prayer is just part of a puzzle. It may feel as if God abandoned you because he is up to a greater work than we can imagine but may not be able to fully see right now. He is putting all the pieces of the puzzle into place. The answer to our prayer is a piece at the very center of the puzzle and before it will fit all the other pieces need to get into place.

So don’t give up hope. Keep praying. Keep listening to him through the Word. God does hear and God is up to something really great.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 5

November 11, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today’s readings come from the New Testament. We first hear Jesus teachings on prayer from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-15 and 7:7-12. A third reading is from James 1:1-18

What do we learn about prayer in Matthew 6?

We are not to pray for show. Prayer is not about impressing others. Prayer is about our relationship with God. The reward with prayer is to know God and to be known by him.

We also learn the Lord’s Prayer. This is not a prayer Jesus teaches us to pray word for word. It is a template for our prayer so that we know how to pray.

What does it mean to ask for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done (6:10)?

It means for heaven to come to earth. It means that God’s authority and dominion would be ushered in. That his will would be done is that what God desires for his creature and creation would become a reality.

What does it mean to ask for daily bread (6:11)? What does Jesus teach us to ask for ourselves 6:12-13)?

To ask for daily bread is to ask for daily provision. That God would give us everything we need to live. He does not teach us to ask for more. “God, just give me enough!”

Jesus teaches us to ask for these things which we need. We need forgiveness. We need God’s guidance in our lives as to how to live. We need his divine protection.

Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given you.” Why then does God sometimes say, “no!” (7:7-8)? What does Matthew 7 say that God will give us?

We don’t have because we don’t ask. God will give us every good gift we need and more. We sometimes do not have because what we ask from God is not good even though we may think it is good.

According to the book of James, how are we to ask God when we are lacking (1:1-7)?

We must ask with faith, believing God will answer. We must ask and not doubt. We ask in humility recognizing God is not obligated to answer our prayer. His only obligation is the obligation he puts on himself because of his grace.

What happens to earthly treasure which we often ask God for (1:9-12)?

It does not last. We leave this earth and our possessions are given to someone else. God wants us to have treasure that we can hold in eternity and not what will be thrown away.

Are there times in your life where you received something good that was not good? Opposite that have you ever received something that you did not think was good, but was good? Who knows better than you what you need?

There have been more than a few times when what I thought I was receiving was a blessing, but it was actually a curse. What we think is good is not always good for us. There are other times I have received that which I did not want to receive, but it turned out to be a great blessing. God know what we really want and need better than we do. The hard thing is to believe that and live in trust.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 4

November 10, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today, we look at Hebrews 12:1-12. These verses give encouragement when going through difficult times.

What does it mean to throw off everything that hinders us (12:1)?

It means to get rid of everything in our life that keeps us from experiencing an intimate relationship with God.

Another challenge is that we sometimes put ourselves in the place of God. We think we need to do more than God has called us to do. But when we do more than what God has called us to do, it gives us less time to do that which he has called us to and we do not do it as well.

Where do we fix our eyes (12:2)? What was Jesus’ focus when he walked this earth (12:2)? Why was it not easy for Jesus to keep his focus (12:3)?

We fix our eyes on Jesus. When Jesus walked this earth he kept his eye on the Father’s will which was to die on the cross for the sins of the world. But Jesus constantly had distractions. Satan was out to distract him. He had many good things he was doing on the earth like healing people and preaching incredible sermons. But none of those things were the ultimate purpose for which he was sent.

What might we remember when we go through suffering to help us endure (12:4-7)?

We remember that Jesus suffered. We also remember that God disciplines those that he loves. A parent that fails to discipline their children would be considered a neglectful parent. Discipline is not pleasant to go through as a child, but it is for the ultimate good of that child. It is really hard for that child to understand it when that child is going through it.

Why is discipline considered loving (12:8-11)? What does a person’s reaction to hardship reveal about them?

The person will learn from the discipline and will have a fuller and more peaceful life as a result. A persons reaction to discipline will reveal the type of relationship they have with the Lord.

What have you learned in your life through hardship?

I have learned that God is always there. I have learned to trust him. I have learned to know his peace. I have learned that what I think is bad is often for my good and that all things work for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 2

November 8, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today, we look at Psalm 22. Verse 1 of this Psalm is famously quoted by Jesus on the cross. This Psalm is all about wrestling with disappointment, despair, and neglect. It is about those times when you are at your lowest. You don’t know what to do. You don’t know how to respond. You feel as if God has abandoned you.

What does David feel has happened (22:1)? Has God really forsaken David? Is there a time in your life when you feel as if God left you?

David feels as if God has abandoned him. But God has not left David. There are times when we feel like this happens. But it is those times when God feels the furthest away, that he he is the closer to us than ever before.

What do others think about David’s God (22:6-8)?

They scoff. They don’t believe God is able to help David in his time of need.

Does David give up on trusting in God (22:9-11)?

But David does not give up on trusting God. He has trusted God his entire life and God had never let him down. When there was no one else to help, God always came through.

If you were to rate your faith vs your despair, where would you rank?

There is a constant battle between the two. There are times when despair will win out over faith and other times when faith will win out over despair. There are many times when I will hold both faith and despair together. There are times when I have despair in my heart, but will continue to take a step of faith. Faith is not the absence of despair. Faith is the ability to take that next step forward in spite of the despair.

How can times of despair actually bring us closer to God?

These are the times we seek God. In the good times we don’t always seek God. But when things are tough we get on our knees in prayer and open up the Word of God. Jesus promise then is that when we seek God we will find him.

How does verse 22 and following show David’s faith?

He is going to tell others of God’s goodness. He is going to boldly and courageously express his faith publicly. It is one thing to hold your faith privately. People will not think you are silly if God lets you down if you don’t tell anyone you are radially believing in him. But when you tell others you are putting God to the test and your faith to the test. You are stepping out on the limb.

How does disappointment better enable you to serve others?

It gives you compassion and understanding. It strengthens you. You learn and you grow. If your life never had any disappointment you would probably be insensitive, cold, and unappreciative.

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