September 6, 2012

 ^"For this very reason, make every effort......." II Peter1:5a

 

Let me ask you a question, "What sort of an effort did Jesus make for you?"

 

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!" Colossians 2:5-8

 

That sounds like He made every effort!

 

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." Matthew 4:1-2

 

Wow! That sounds like a committed effort!

 

"He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^"  Luke 22:41-44

 

That sure sounds like a total effort to me!

 

^"As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.  When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him."  Matthew 27:32-44

 

Jesus gave His all until the very end. His entire life was characterized by total effort!

 

"Therefore, make every effort......"

 

Are you making every effort to grow in grace?

 

How does your effort compare to His?

 

 

 

 

 

September 5, 2012

^"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness" II Peter 1:5a

 

A woman was preparing to fix a roast for a dinner party she would be hosting. Her teen-aged daughter, who was helping her, watched as her mother cut several inches off each end of the roast prior to putting it in the pan.

"Mom," the daughter asked, "Why did you cut the end of the roast off?"

"Because I always do it," Mother replied.

"But why do you do it?"

"Well, I don't know. I guess I do it because my mother always did it"

"Why don't you call grandma and asked her why she always cut the ends off her roasts," the daughter urged.

"Good Idea!" said the mother as she picked up the phone and dialed the number, "Hello, mother, it is Betty. I have a question to ask you."

"Hi, Honey! What can I do for you?" answered the grandmother.

"I am preparing a roast and I just cut an inch from each end of the roast and Jenny asked me why I did it and I said it was because you always did. Why did you do that, mom?"

"Well, Honey, that is easy! I only had an 8" pan!" she replied, "I don't know why you do it!"

It is important to understand why you do the things you do. Granted, cutting the end off a roast is not a deal-breaker but it illustrates a bigger point of having a purpose for what you do.

As Peter challenges believers to grow spiritually he confronts them with this very truth. God has provided everything needed to become godly but it won't happen accidentally or casually. He urges, "Make every effort".

Are you making every effort to develop your faith?

Are you taking responsibility for your spiritual growth?

Are you living on purpose?

Is discipleship your top priority?

 

 

September 4, 2012

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecclesiates 5:18-20

Some of us remember the old country western classic, “Take This Job and Shove It” sung by Johnny Paycheck. A few years later during a recession of the early 1980’s, I heard someone say that the new version of the song had been changed to say, “Shove That Job – I’ll Take It!”

No kidding! Estimates show 14.6 millions who want a job don’t have one. 7.9 million jobs have been lost since the recession started in Fall of 2008. Many of those will never be recovered. Unfortunately, with an unemployment rate of 9.1% there are many who would love to take a job but can’t find one. I saw a report by a private firm that tracks unemployment trends and their findings show for the month of May 28% of 1,000 households surveyed had at least one person unemployed – June was 27.8% and July 28.8%. Their factors that they use to calculate actual unemployment totals shows it at 22% or almost two and a half times more than the Labor Department numbers. Those are heartbreaking statistics.

In view of this current reality, I want to offer some perspective on this important issue of working as I prepare my message for Sunday which will be entitled "Take This Job And Love It".

First, I urge you to love your job as a blessing!

Solomon in his wisdom reminds you that to be able to labor at a job is a "gift from God".

Have you forgotten that?

A husband and his wife woke up one Sunday morning and the wife dressed for church It was just about time for the service when she noticed her husband hadn’t moved a finger toward getting dressed. Perplexed, she asked, “Why aren’t you getting dressed for church?” He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.” She asked, “Do you have any reasons?” He said, “Yes, I have three good reasons. First the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And third, I just don’t want to go.” The wife replied, wisely, “Well honey, I have three reasons why you should go. First the congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who like you. And third, you’re the pastor! So get dressed!”

Don't be that guy!

Realize these three facts:

God blesses work!

I have already documented in my last few blogs how God invented work and sanctified it. He has wired us so we need to work in order to find satisfaction and fulfillment. Perhaps if you stopped thinking about your job as work and began thinking about it as worship that would help your attitude.

Second, work blesses you!

In addition to all the spiriual, emotional and psychological benefits of working, there is the practical aspect of being able to provide the basic needs and wants of yourself and your family. What a blessing to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you can provide for your family and give them the security and stability of knowing they will be cared for!

Finally, work allows you to bless others!

One of the most spiritual things you can do after you have provided for your family is to lend assistance to family and friends in need. That happens through the tithe you give to your church and it happens through special offerings the church fellowship may occasionally collect in response to a need. God never intended for His people to become dependent on the government, they are supposed to take care of one another.

BUT, it is difficult to do that if you don't have a job!

Will you take a moment and thank God for your job? Will you ask Him to help you take that job and love it?

It is a blessing to you, to your family and to others!

September 3, 2012

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."  II Peter 1:3-4

When I was a kind we used to sing a chorus in Sunday School that went something like this:

"Every promise in the Book is  mine - every word, every letter, every line."

Looking back on it I believe my teacher was trying to instill the same truths in me that Peter is affirming to these Christians - GOD HAS GIVEN US GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES!

These promises are great because of Who has given them!

These promises are great because of what they give to you!

These promises are great because of what they will give you in days to come!

And, these promises are great because they are TRUE and their truth is guaranteed in Jesus Christ, Who is both the fulfillment of every promise and is the proof that every promise will be fulfilled!

His promises that have been given to you are precious because He made them!

His promises are precious because what they promise is precious!

His promises are precious because of the price that was paid to guarantee them -the life blood of Jesus.

God, through His power, has given you great and precious promises!

Will you believe them?

Will you receive them?




 

September 2, 2012

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." II Peter 1:1-2

 

It was rather ironic yesterday that American Hero, Neil Armstrong, was laid to rest in Ohio on a day when there was a "blue moon".

 

People my age or older remember being transfixed in front of black and white TV screens on July 20, 1969 watching a grainy image of Neil Armstrong stepping off the botton rung of the ladder from the LEM (lunar excursion module) and planted his space boot firmly on the surface of our moon!

 

Those of us who witnessed it have those pictures permanently emblazoned in our minds!

 

During the week I did some reading on this humble mid-western hero. I found several interesting details, but the one that impressed me that most was the fact that neither NASA or the astronauts or President Nixon were very optimistic about Neil and his co-pilot, Gene Cernan, making it back from the surface of the Moon.

 

According to what I learned, NASA had a statement all prepared to share with the American public were the worst to happen. President Nixon's top speech-writer had crafted a brief script for the President to inform and comfort the American people if Armstrong and Cernan should be permanently stranded on our Moon.

 

Such a bold as theirs would be risky today even with our 21st century technology. You can probably imagine how dangerous it was with 1960's equipment! There was great concern among the peoptole at Mission Control and with the astronauts about whether the engine on the LEM would fire when it came time to launch from the surface of the Moon and link up with the orbiter that would bring them back to earth. That engine had to fire on the first try or it wouldn't work. While they had test-fired it 250 on earth they were not sure how it would function in the lunar atmosphere.

 

When these courageous astronauts launched from the earth, they were fully aware of the very real possibility they would never return! They risked their lives because they were convinced that space exploration was essential to the scientific growth of their beloved nation, The United States of America!

 

Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan loved their mission more than they loved their own lives! They were totally committed to going to the Moon and exploring the Moon even if it meant they never would return from the Moon!

 

In II Peter 1, Peter is reminding us that we have some very precious gifts available to us through faith in Christ. But we must serve Him and grow in our knowledge of Him in order to receive and enjoy those gifts.In short, we will need to love Him more than life!

 

Let me ask you, "Do you love Jesus more than life?" "Are you willing to get know Him better even if it costs you everything?"  "Will you be willing to surrender everything for the joy of knowing God?"

 

If you will, I promise it will be out of thsi world!

 

 

September 1, 2012

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as our.  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I Peter 1:1-2

Out of Peter's role as a servant developed a knowledge of his Master. That knowledge grew into a relationship.

Peter makes it clear that this is God's desire for all His people. To see how that knowledge develops let’s trace Peter’s journey.

          Follower – “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men…..”  Mt. 4:19

Peter became a follower when Jesus issued him a personal call to leave his nets and boat to follow Jesus. He would never be the same!

 

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST?

 
 

          Learner  – Disciple – “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2

Since Jesus was a Rabbi, those who would follow Him would learn His teachings. What Peter learned from Jesus changed his life! Until you live it you haven't learned it!
 

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?       

WHAT DID YOU LEARN LAST WEEK?
 

ARE YOU DISCIPLING ANYONE ELSE?

          Believer –  Mt. 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Peter's name changed from “Simon” - shifting sand to “Peter” – the rock.

Peter not only learned with his head, but as he walked with Jesus and watched Jesus he began to believe that Jesus WAS the Son of God. His doubts diminished as his knowledge grew.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ABOUT JESUS? DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT?

           Minister  – “Feed my sheep…..” John 21:17

After Peter failed and denied Jesus, He lost confidence in himself and after Christ was crucified, Peter went back to fishing. But the Resurrected Jesus came looking for him and tenderly let Peter know that he was forgiven and that Jesus still had a ministry for Peter to fulfill! When Peter heard that he was forgiven and called by his Jesus to get busy serving Him again, he gladly resumed serving Jesus.

What is neat to realize is that even after Peter gave up on himself - GOD PURSUED PETER WITH GAZELLE INTENSITY.

HOW ARE YOU MINISTERING FOR GOD?      WHO ARE YOU FEEDING?

 

           Apostle – “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:40-41

An "apostle" is one who is sent on a mission with the "Good News". Peter drew close to Jesus and learned from Him and then he was sent out to draw others to Jesus. But first, the big difference was - HE WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT first.

HAVE YOU BEEN FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?

Martyr – Crucified upside down on a cross because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus!

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING YOUR LIFE FOR?

I think it is safe to say that Peter had his eye on the prize! He shows you how to do it, too!

 

As You Grow In Him As Peter Did, You Realize HE IS THE PRIZE!

Hearing Him say, “Well done” Is The Prize!

Leading Others To Getting To Know Him Is The Prize!

 

 

August 31, 2012

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," II Peter 1:1a

 

What Peter describes as his role, a “slave” of Jesus Christ, is also your role and it is my role. But just exactly does that mean?

 

It means to surrender to Him! Offer yourself with all your hopes and ambitions.

 

Billy Graham tells the story about a little child who was playing with a very valuable vase. He put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father too, tried his best to get it out, to no avail. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Now my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull.” To their astonishment the little fellow said, “O no, dad, I couldn’t put my fingers out like that because if I did I would drop my dime.”
 

 It means to serve Him! Offer to do His will.

 

When Joseph Ton was a pastor in Romania he was arrested by the secret police for publishing a sermon calling for the churches to refuse to submit to the Communist government’s demand for control over their ministries. When an official told him he must renounce his sermon, he replied, "No, sir! I won’t do that!"

The official, surprised that anyone would respond so forcefully to the secret police, said, "Aren’t you aware that I can use force against you?"

"Sir, let me explain that to you," Ton said. "You see, your supreme weapon is killing. My supreme weapon is dying. . . . You know that my sermons are spread all over the country on tapes. When you kill me, I only sprinkle them with my blood. They will speak 10 times louder after that, because everybody will say, ’That preacher meant it because he sealed it with his blood.’ So go on, sir, kill me. When you kill me, I win the supreme victory." The secret police released him, knowing his martyrdom would be far more of a problem than his sermon.

 

It means to satisfy Him. Obey Him in love.

I recently did a wedding. During the wedding rehearsal, the groom pulled me aside and made me an offer.

He said "Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part where I’m to promise to ’love, honor and obey,’ I would appreciate it if you’d just leave that part out." He gave me a $100 bill and walked away.


The day of the wedding the bride and groom were in front of me and we were to that part of the ceremony where the vows are exchanged. When it came time for the groom’s vows, I looked at the young man and said "Will you promise to bow down before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not ever even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?"


The groom gulped and looked around, and said in a tiny voice, "Yes." Then He leaned in and asked “what happened I thought we had a deal."


So I gave him his 100 dollars back and told him that she had made a better offer.

Are you choosing to be obedient to God or are you looking  for a better deal?
 

HERE’S A BETTER DEAL:  Give Yourself To God As A Slave And He Makes You A Son!