Fri, Jul 3rd - 9:55AM

Legalism

The word of the day is:

Legalism

Matthew 5:17

¹⁷"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

               God’s laws, all of them, were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout the Israelites history, God’s laws had been misquoted, misapplied and misused. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders turned God’s laws into a bunch of rules that were really confusing. Jesus spoke of a new way to understand God’s laws, which was designed to bring the people back to God’s original purpose for the laws. Jesus did not speak against the laws itself but the misguiding and misapplying of those laws.

Challenge;

               We are prone to legalize everything about the laws of God, making life such a big sack of rules and regulations that we totally miss the whole point of the laws. Jesus’ point in the whole matter was that the most important law is to love. Love your neighbor as thyself, love your enemies, LOVE! How many times are we too quick to throw the book at someone without simply just showing them a little love? Love goes along way. The challenge is simple; put a neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member that seems a little prone to break rules or start waves and simply show them a little love when they expect to be shown sternness, madness, anger, and even disappointment. That new found reaction will travel many miles in that person’s life, whether they admit it or not.

Thu, Jul 2nd - 10:18AM

Darkness

The word of the day is:

Darkness

Psalm 43:3-4

³ Send forth your light and your truth,
       let them guide me;
       let them bring me to your holy mountain,
       to the place where you dwell.

 ⁴ Then will I go to the altar of God,
       to God, my joy and my delight.
       I will praise you with the harp,
       O God, my God.

               The psalmist asked God to send his light and truth to guide him to the holy mountain, the temple, where he would meet God. God’s truth gives us the right path to follow and God’s light gives us the clear vision to follow it. If you feel surrounded by darkness and uncertainty, follow God’s light and truth and He will guide you.

Challenge;

               What is the best way to get God’s light and truth? Stay in the word, really read God’s word, and pray to God for His light to shine through you into the darkness. Watch how people react when you carry God’s light. Without it, are we not just darkness?

Wed, Jul 1st - 9:09AM

Review

The word of the day is:

Review

1 Samuel 12:24

²⁴ But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

               This is the second time Samuel reminded the people to consider the great things that God had done for them. Taking the time to reflect on our lives allows us to focus our attention upon God’s goodness and strengthens us in our faith. Sometimes we are so progress and future oriented that we do not take the time to recall all that God has already done in our lives. Remember what God has done for you so that you may move ahead in gratitude.

Challenge;

               Stop and focus on the blessings God has bestowed upon you as a child of His. See where he has been a part of your life, even the growing up part. I would venture to guess that you will find He’s been there for you even when you weren’t there for Him. God is GOOD!

Tue, Jun 30th - 10:05AM

Administration

The word of the day is:

Administration

Acts 6:3-4

³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

               The apostils priorities were correct. The ministry of the word should never be neglected because of administrative burdens. Pastors should not try nor be expected to do everything. The work should be doled out to the rest of the church according to their gifting.

Challenge;

               See a need at your church? Where can you help out a lead pastor? All you have to do is ask. In fact the challenge is to ask what you can do for the church. But be careful, because I’ll bet your rewards will be exceptional coming from God.

Mon, Jun 29th - 9:43AM

Complaining

The word of the day is:

Complaining

Numbers 16:41

⁴¹ The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. "You have killed the LORD's people," they said.

               Just one day after Korah and his followers were executed for grumbling and complaining against God, the Israelites started all over with more muttering and complaining. Their negative attitude only caused them to rebel even more and to bring about even greater trouble. It eroded their faith in God and encouraged thoughts of giving up and turning back. The path to open rebellion against God begins with dissatisfaction and skepticism, then moves to grumbling both about God and present circumstances, then bitterness and resentment set it in and after that the final rebellion and open hostility. If you are often dissatisfied, bitter, skeptical, or complaining – beware! All this leads to separation from God, trying to lead your own life without Him.

Challenge;

               No muttering or complaining about anything today. See how hard it really is. Would you rather be on God’s side or on opposite sides from God? Watch the negative so that it doesn’t cause you to fall into the trap.