Not Ashamed - Memory Monday, Nov. 15

We live in a day where we see many who want to water down the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They say that we're all not as bad as some think we are, or that we're all ending up in the same place anyway, or that since god loves everyone then surely no one is ending up in that imaginary "bad" place.

But if you read the first three chapters of Romans you'll see right away that there is a cost to our sinfulness and that yes, we really as are bad as some say we are.

There's so much more to say about this, but I'm just happy to put a verse up here for us to work on memorizing. (If you all are still joining me in this.)

Here's Romans 1:16 in the NASB. It's a verse we all should know.

16 For I am not ³⁰ashamed of the gospel, for ³¹it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the ³²Jew first and also to ³³the Greek.

Every Good Gift - Memory Monday

I heard about one of the LifeGroup's class yesterday. (That's what we call Sunday School at our church. Long story - but a good reason why we call them LIFE Groups.) Anyway, they are studying Beth Moore's study about the ascension Psalms - I can't think of the name of it - and yesterday they were talking about God's blessings. This particular group couldn't think of too many things other than the usually - family, home, health, food...

But James tells us in his book, James 1:17 that EVERY good gift is from God.

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is ³⁴from above, coming down from ³⁵the Father of lights, ³⁶with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

So the list is endless. If something is good or perfect it is from God: music, food, paintings, grass, trees, roses, air-conditioning and heat, friendship, love, literature...

"Wait a minute" you might say, "What does God have to do with giving me air-conditioning or beautiful art to look at?" The AC man fixes my air when it's out and I've seen a lot of 'art' that I'm sure God had nothing to do with.

OK. I'll give you a little for that, but in reality, if we have something good it is from God. God gives us the knowledge to figure out how AC works. He is the ultimate Creator and great art and music are possible because we are made in His image and He gives us the skill to create. Yes, we have to work at being good friends to have good friends, but in the end it is when we are like Christ that we have deep meaningful friendships.

Is this a stretch? I don't think so. Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Memorize James 1:17 and spend some time meditating on it and I think you'll see more and more gifts from above.

I suppose this picture probably gives a more literal and perhaps a more accurate idea of the good and perfect gifts from above - grace, forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control... (you can add to the list) These are the true good and perfect gifts from God. But I still say that other things in our life that are good are from God.

1 Peter 1:14-16 Memory Monday

I'm working on memorizing 1 Peter 1:14-16. They go along with "The Mind of Christ" Bible study that I am working through. The study suggested memorizing verse 15, but I'm trying to be an overachiever - haha - and learn the verses on each side of it.

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to your former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior, 16 because it is written, YOU SHALL BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY.


Holy means "set apart." It means not doing things the world's way, but God's way. It means keeping all the junk out of your life. It means if someone follows you around they see you living as a reflection of God and not your own usual selfish self.

I supppose that last paragraph isn't the one you'll find in a fancy Bible dictionary, but I was trying to sum it all up for you.

Memorizing these versese is the easy part. The difficult part is living that way. With the work of the Holy Spirit in your life it is possible, however, to live a holy life. I afraid our problem too often is that we don't want to. We've allowed ourselves to be conformed to our former lusts which we ours in our ignorance.

OK. Self-reflection time. What things in your life do you need to give over to God so that you can live a holy life? So often we say, "Well, that's just the way I am. Can't help myself." or "I don't feel like I"m holy or feel like I want to be holy." I guess we could rewrite these verses. "Be holy when you feel like it 'cause God knows it's difficult."
Ha! Holiness like so many other things is a choice we make. We choose to be obedient children or we choose not to be. Feelings should be a biproduct of what we do, not the driving force behind what we do.

I suppose if I was planning a sermon to preach I would go through this and put things in order and have nice connecting sentences to tie it all together. But I'm not. I'm just typing and hoping that you are following what I'm trying to say.

That's it. You have to decide now to be holy or to be conformed to your former lusts...

I hope you choose holiness.

October 4, Memory Monday

Today I began reading Hebrews again. It is such a rich book full of all kinds of deep wonderful truths. Here are the first three verses of Hebrews. I think they set the stage for the rest of the book.

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

That's probably a little much to think about memorizing in a week, but maybe you can just remember these words. "He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature."

Many today think of Jesus as a really good man or a great teacher. And He was both, but to portray Him as less than God is to deny the truth of scripture. This verse states that very clearly.

What does that mean for us today? It's very important that we don't get caught up in the politically correct line of thought that each of us can determine our own truth. "What's good or true for you isn't necessarily good or true for me." If we believe the Word - which I do! - then these words from Hebrews are a powerful statement to the deity of Christ. We can't dismiss Him as merely a good teacher. We must declare with the writer of Hebrews (and Psalms - which is quoted here) in regard to Jesus the Son, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever."

Where You Live - Memory Mon/Tues Day - September 28

I've always heard people say that God's timing is perfect. They usually say that when they have been waiting on an answer from God and haven't gotten one - or at least not the answer they wanted. I think that shows great faith - knowing that God is in control and will accomplish things in His time.

Sometimes people say that after they see God's answer and they realize that if things had happened when they wanted them to that they would have missed a blessing or they wouldn't have seen God do something really awesome in their lives.

And I believe it myself, that God's timing is perfect. I know from a long story that I wouldn't be in the house I am in if things had gone the way I had planned it. God has blessed me and Cheryl more than I deserve. And now it looks like I may have actually sold my "vacation" home. WOOHOO! "Vacation" home is just what I have called my house in Whites Creek for some time now. It just sounds better than "that old house of mine that has been on the market for two years because I put it up for sale a week before the big housing crash that still hasn't recovered." Yes. I've been making two house payments for a year now. (We lived there and commuted for a long time before God opened a way for us to move to Clarksville.)

As I was thinking about Memory Monday/Tuesday I wondered if I could find some verses that gave a biblical basis to the old saying, "God's timing is perfect."

We see in Galatians 4:4 NASB "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son"

But we would expect that of Jesus. What about some old music guy who lives in Clarksville. Does God have perfect timing for me? I think so. But I'm not sure what verse I can quote for you. The one that keeps coming to mind while I type is Romans 8:28 NASB so that' going to be our memory verse for this week.


And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

The End of the Old - the Start of the New

"Memory Tuesday" just doesn't have the ring of "Memory Monday" but I guess I should change the name to be more reflective of what really happens. Many things distracted me from blogging yesterday.

One thing that I was working on yesterday was the script for this year's Living Christmas Tree - fondly referred to most often as "the Tree." I was reading about Gabriel's announcement to Zacharias that he would have a son in his old age and they he should name him John. Gabriel said "you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.  Then Gabriel quoted one of the prophets "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children'"
So I had to look it up to see who Gabriel was quoting - and I probably already knew this, but was reminded again - that it was Malachi.

Now how cool is this? The very last two verses of the Old Testament are quoted by Gabriel as he is announcing the beginning of the New Covenant (with the birth of John the one to prepare the way for the Lord.) It gave me goose bumps to see that.

So that is what inspired today's "Memory Monday on a Tuesday."

ACTS 13:23 From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

That may seem like an odd verse to learn, but it reminds us that God keeps His promises and that Jesus fulfilled the promise made to David about his kingdom. Hundreds - maybe even thousands of other promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Read the first several chapters of Matthew some time and count how many times he says, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets." It's really cool to see!

Well, I'm back to script writing. Have a great week.

Memory Monday on a Tuesday - again

I was down at my "vacation" home yesterday cutting the grass and repairing the bridge, so I didn't get around to a Memory Monday post. The bridge had lost part of the rail from the 500 year or 1000 year flood last May. B UT MY HOUSE DID NOT FLOOD! So, for those people who didn't want to buy my house because they thought it would flood I very kindly and respectfully say, "I told you so!"

Haha!

Well, when I'm out in the yard working - it's truly is one of my favorite things to do. I had to sing. I just can't help it. I feel a lot like Fanny Crosby when she penned these wonderful words, "I sing for I cannot be silent, His love is the theme of my song. Redeemed, Redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. His child, and forever, I am." If you don't know about Fanny Crosby, you should. Perhaps I'll post more about her when I'm not hurrying off to Children's Choir.

Fanny Crosby

So I think a verse from the Psalms would fit in good today for a good verse to memorize (and live).

Here's Psalm 104:33
Psalm 104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live ;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

I'm headed out to Children's Choir. Can't keep typing. Have a great day!

Memory Monday from a Familiar Passage

If you are like me, you have probably read Romans 10 many times a year for the past 30 years. (Well, unless you're only 22.)

I was reading Romans 10 again this past week and saw something I hadn't noticed before!

How is that possible when you have read a passage 274 times? I don't know - except that according to Hebrews 4:12 the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Back to my story...
So, I was reading Romans 10 - such wonderful verses (you should memorize if you haven't)

9. if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved ;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Then I read the last verses - which I'm sure I have before - well, of course I have... but they really spoke to me in a different way. You see, there is an army guy I am praying for - that he would be saved - be a true follower of Jesus Christ. But he's not looking for God. He's just finished Ranger school and is in that I'm big and bad and tough and don't need anything or anyone kind of mode. But look what verse 20 of Romans 10 says,

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME."

(By the way, in the New American Standard translation of the Bible the quotes in the New Testament that are from the Old Testament are written in ALL CAPS. I wasn't adding my own emphasize to the words above.)

So verse 20 is my memory verse for the week 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME." And it is my prayer for this young army guy, that God would show Himself to him even though he isn't seeking God.

For YOU, if you have never memorized Romans 10:9-10, you should do that this week. If you have someone you have been praying for to be saved, maybe you'll want to memorize Romans 10:20 and let it be a guide to how you pray for your friend this week.

Memory Monday - August 16, 2010

We're going to go with another verse about all the nations this week. Last week's verse was Psalm 96:1-3 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
 
I had chosen this verse so I could advertise our new ESL ministry. (Scroll down and check out my posts if you are behind on ESL.) So this week I am celebrating a great start to ESL ministry at Hilldale. We had 18 people at our first meeting. A few had been to the recent training at the TBC (Tennessee Baptist Convention) from NAMB (North American Mission Board), some teach ESL in the public schools and some have taught ESL at other churches and have been through training.
So... we have a fantastic group of teachers that are all excited about beginning an ESL Ministry here.
 
Here's a great verse for you all to memorize this week. It's from Psalm 57
 
9 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.
10 For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds.
11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
 

Memory Monday - August 9, 2010

I missed posting last Monday. We were in a two-day meeting going over some exciting plans for our church to reach out to our community. I'm very excited about all of the ideas we shared, but the one I am most excited about is a ministry to internationals that God has brought to Clarksville. As of today, I really can't jump on an airplane next month to go to Brazil to work with missionaries in Rio de Janeiro in spreading the Good News of Jesus. I really need to be here working on Christmas and getting musical things going for the Fall. My bank account probably wouldn't be able to take care of a couple of plane tickets either. (I'd want Cheryl to go with me of course.)

I may not be able to travel to twenty different countries in the next year or two, but I CAN minister to people from Brazil and China and Guatemala and many other places right here in Clarksville. "How is that?" You may ask. Through our new ESL ministry at Hilldale. Here is a link to a post about an informational meeting this coming Sunday. ESL Ministry

So what does that have to do with Memory Monday?  Haha! Today's verse is a sneaky way for me to get in more advertising for ESL.

There are many, many verses that talk about all nations and all peoples knowing the LORD. Jesus, in the Great Commission, told us to go to all the nations to make disciples. the Great Commission

But the verse I chose for Memory Monday this week is Psalm 96:3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

We may not be able to jump on a plane to Korea tomorrow, but it's very probable that we can share the love of Jesus with someone from Korea through an ESL class.

Here is Psalm 96:3 in context. What a great Psalm!

Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

 3 Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

 4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

 6 Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.

More of John1 for Memory Monday

Last week I suggested that we all memorize John 1:1-5. These words are the foundation of what we believe about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God Himself, taking the form of man to live and die for our sin.
Phillippians 2 echos this same thought.
2:6-8 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbeld Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

This video takes John 1 and Philippians 2 and other verses and weaves them together beautifully. You'll recognize Philippians 2:9-11 in this video.



This video is of the Mississippie Baptist State Youth Choir singing a song called "The Word Was God" by Rosephanye Powell. They may take it a little fast, but I'll let choral experts argue what tempo should be used. I found YouTube videos at several different tempos. I just thought it was cool to see this many youth singing a fancy artsy version of John 1.


But what is this week's verse to memorize?

My guess is that you didn't memorize all of John 1:1-5, so I'm giving it to you again. Add verse 14 if you like it's a great verse. (You'll see and hear it in the first video here.)

John 1:1-5, 14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Memory Monday on Tuesday (again)

I took yesterday off from working in the office. I attended Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) training from the North American Mission Board all weekend and needed to cut the grass at my "vacation" home in Whites Creek (which I'll put back on the market in August) and then went to Mt. Juliet to my son's new house to help paint so they can move in this weekend.

All of that to say that I didn't get to a computer to put a verse for Memory Monday on here.

I was thinking this morning about John 1. It is such a wonderful chapter. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

These beautiful pages are from the St. John's Bible

 an illuminated, handwritten Bible commissioned by Saint John's University and Abbey in Minnesota. This contemporary Bible is at once old and new: a masterpiece of the ancient crafts of calligraphy and illumination that could only be made by artists of today. Read more here

I was thinking about some men I have been praying for - that they would become followers of Jesus Christ. They are walking in darkness and need light and life from Jesus. I am praying today that the Light will shine in their hearts but that unlike the people of Jesus day, my prayer is that they will see and comprehend the Light. Will you join me in praying for these three men?

 

So what is this week's Memory Monday memory verse?

 

I am going to review the first five verses of John 1 (since I have memorized them before). I would encourage you to start with verse 1 if you haven't memorized these verses and then add as many as you can. There's a great sermon to be preached from verse 3 too. It corresponds with another of my favorite passages, Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Guess I should have saved that for next week's memory verse. We'll just call that a sneak preview!
So - again, for those of you memorizing scripture with me, here are this weeks verses. See how much you can memorize this week.

 

John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Memory Monday - back on track?

It seems I've missed a few Memory Mondays during the Summer. With travel and all I've dropped a few weeks. Hmmm, or maybe just one week.
Well anyway, here's a verse for you to learn this week.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

This is just a good verse we probably all learned as kids, but we need to be reminded of it often. I'll try to write some more later. I've been listening to Christmas music all day. Haven't liked any of it. Now I've used up writing time. Well, write your own little sermon. I can't always do everything for you. hahaha

Have a great week.
I'll try to blog a little more tomorrow.

Memory Monday - June 21

Happy Birthday to me!

I've always had so much fun letting everyone know that June 21 is the First Day of Summer and the longest day of the year and my birthday! Woohoo!

So since it's my birthday I'm going to put my life verse favorite verse up here. I think I already have, but it is such a wonderful verse and is how I try to live my life each day. Hmmm, just typing that sounds like something I've typed before.

Anyway, here it is.

Ephesians 3:
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

So you've probably already memorized it (if you've been going along with me) so you can use this week to review all of our verses. (I wish I would review more consistently.)

Have a wonderful first day of summer!

Catching Up

We've had a wonderful week at the Southern Baptist Convention. It is always wonderful to hear the great stories and testimonies of how God is at work through our churches, pastors, missionaries, NAMB, IMB, Baptist Global Response, etc.

The wonder of the Southern Baptist Convention, hmmm, wonder may not be the right word... well, anyway, the thing that is really awesome is how thousands of autonimous churches freely work together and give to the Cooperative Program to support mission efforts around the world. Thousands of missionaries from other denominations have to spend a lot of time raising support, asking for money, hoping a church or individual somewhere will help them get equipment they need, or dollars for a salary (you still have to eat and live when you are a missionary, you know), or supplies or other needs. Southern Baptist Missionaries in North America (NAMB) or around the world through our International Mission Board (IMB) can go right to work on the field knowing that churches from 30 to 30,000 members are working together, praying together and giving together to give them what they need to do their work.

The Southern Baptist Convention is like a giant church business meeting. We vote on things, elect officers, hear reports, sometimes fuss about things, but in the end, we are brothers and sisters in Christ working together to further the Kingdom.

Since I have been in Orlando and not with my computer I am behind on some blogging. Here we go catching up a little.

Memory Monday
Here's a short one since you just have a few days.

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace.

In context, this verse is talking about how Christ brought peace between the Jewish and Gentile believers. But I think in the broader view of life in general, the Southern Baptist Convention, in our local churches in everything - for us to have peace we must have Jesus Himself as our peace.

If that verse was to easy and you want more to memorize or at least put in your heart for later reference, look at Philippians 4:6-7. I memorized these verses as a teenager and have practiced them in my life thousans of times through the years.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Continuing on with catching up - Sunday's Music

I don't really remember. I do know it is Father's Day so we are singing some songs that refer to God as our Father.
One I remember for Sunday is...
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not, as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

We also have a men's quartet singing The Lord's Prayer. Our Father, which art in heaven.

Join us Sunday at 8:30 or 9:45 and worship the Father with us.

Ancient Words - Music for Sunday - June 6

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB


All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
 
I went to one of my favorite Bible Study web sites http://www.crosswalk.com/ and typed in "scripture." There were HUNDREDS of verses that have the word "scripture" in them. And a whole bunch of those were New Testament verses quoting Old Testament verses and showing how Jesus Christ fulfilled them.
 
These "Ancient Words" written hundreds and even thousands of years before Christ Jesus found their fulfillment in Him. As we look at the Old and New Testaments together we see how they work together to show us God's story in, around and through our Lord Jesus Christ. They are ancient words that ring true today, that still give life, that still are the "sword" for believers and give strength and guidance through trials and temptations.
 
We'll sing about these Ancient Words that are Wonderful Words of Life this Sunday morning. Let me encourage you to find a partner - your spouse, a friend, or check in with me on Mondays for "Memory Monday" - and put more of these words of life into your heart. You can't always have a Bible in your hand (although with the fancy new phones many have you can carry around a Bible with you. But having these words in your heart is where you will find the power in them.
June 6, 2010 AM


Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Everlasting God

No Choir Anthem

Fellowship song – Friend of God

Wonderful Words of Life
Thy Word
Ancient Words

Special Music – Mark Black

There were several YouTube videos of the song "Ancient Words" but I liked this one because it has Portuguese sub titles. Haha. I'm still listening to my Portuguese CDs so I can keep my Portuguese up. I don't know why. Maybe God is going to bring some Brazilians to Hilldale. Hmmmm. Or maybe He's wanting me to visit Brazil again...

It's June! - Memory Monday

I love June!

When I was a youngster - early 20s (haha) I had a great group of friends that Cheryl and I spent a lot of time with. We were a singing ensemble at church called "New Creations." We rehearsed every week, sang at our church and other churches, went on mission trips together and we got together just for fun. Each June we had a "Hooray it's June!" party.

Many of us were school teachers, so part of that was a "school's out!" party. But June is also our wedding anniversary (my lovely wife, Cheryl, and I) and it's my birthday - June 21 the first day of summer.
Oh, and Father's Day too! One big party after another. I miss those friends. We moved away. Some of them have moved away. I've reconnected with a few via Facebook, but it's not the same as a cookout in the backyard. I look forward to that day in glory when we are all singing together again around the throne.

And in June the roses really get going - and the daylillies - and hydrangeas. I suppose they sort of start in May, but in June they are great!

So since it's June and since it's probably my favorite month I thought I would encourage you all to join me in memorizing (actually, I'll just be reviewing) my favorite verse.

I've heard preachers talk about a "verse for the year" or a "Life verse" that they try to live their life by. If I ever had a life verse, this would be it. This is how I try to live my life and is totally my outlook on life.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

The KJV says "exceeding abundantly." I like that, so I usually mix up the KJV and the NASB.

Here's some of what I see in this verse and why it is such a greaet verse.

* God can do exceedingly abundantly MORE than I can ever ask Him or even think about. What a challenge - and what a joy - to live my life expecting God to do great things.
* the power that works within us is the Holy Spirit. How cool is that? God, Himself, is doing great things in us. It's His power, not my own.
* God does these great things in us and through us and more than we ask or can even think to bring Himself glory. I get a tiny bit irritated at some of the TV type preachers who say "God wants to give you a new car. A big shiny new car. And He wants you to be healthy and wealthy and kickin' Satan around." I realllly don't think that's it. God does exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or even think to bring glory to Himself and to Christ Jesus. He wants to further His Kingdom, not fatten my wallet.
* to all generations - It's my responsibility to make sure my children and grandchildren - and as far as being a pastor, to your children and grandchildren - to ALL generations - it's our responsibility to bring Him glory. to point out to the younger generations the great exceedingly abundant things God is doing. To guide them and encourage them to trust Him, to praise Him, to give Him glory in the church.

Well, I probably wouldn't get a great grade on this if I was turning it into a seminary class, but I'm typing fast and thinking fast and hoping that I'm making a little bit of sense. Let me encourage you to memorize this verse and see what God tells you through it. And let me encourage you to live this verse. It's a great way to look at life! I'm praying you'll have a happy, abundant, Christ glorifying June!

Ephesians 3:20.Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,



21.to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Memory Monday - Looking Out for Number One?

If you are following along then you know that I sidetracked myself - or chased a rabbit - last week. Click here if you missed it

The verse I would like to memorize this week is the one I intended to recommend last week - Hebrews 10:24.
Hebrews 10:23.Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful ;


24.and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

25.not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
 
We often hear verse 25 quoted - usually when we're talking about people who have gone missing from church and haven't been seen in a while. However, you really need to read all three of these verse together to get the full meaning and some good instruction.
 
The world is working overtime and extra hard to shape us into it's image - to long for the things of the world - to be distracted and caught up in worldly things. We all know people who at one time were living the Christian life only to be torn down by the world and fall away from a life of faith. That's why it is so important that we "hold fast" to our confession of faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Unless we are watchful we too can be caught up in the world and become less than useful to the Kingdom work.
 
The key to holding fast is found in verse 24 - today's memory verse.
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
as we encourage - stimulate - inspire - model love and good deeds we not only help others "hold fast" but we "hold fast" ourselves.
 
It seems now that the American way is to be selfish and "look out for number one" and all of that.
 

Looking out for Number One would be the antithesis of a Christ-filled life. (At least as long as number one is yourself.) (Notice the name of this guy's other book - "Winning Through Intimidation." Not exactly taken from Christ's words or example.)
When we take our focus off of ourselves and our own wants and instead look for ways to stimulate others to love and good deeds we will find ourselves acting like Christians! Imitators of Christ Himself who humbled Himself and gave Himself for us.
 
There are people in your life that you are in contact with every day - family, co-workers, classmates, friends. Will you take a moments and pick out two or three of these people in your life and ask God what you can do to "stimulate" them to "love and good works" ? It's not necessarily an easy assignment, but definitely a godly one. Think of the difference we can make this week if all of us are encouraging each other to love and good works. Wow! I think we would see the fulfillment of Christ's words found in John 13:35 NIV
 
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

That takes us back to verse 25 - not forsaking the assembling together... If we are loving each other, and encouragin each other and helping each other with good deeds the "assembling together" is easy. We won't want to wait to see each other again in life and in worship. We'll get together not only on Sundays but during the week too. Not so much for formal times of worship, but just to be together because of our love for each other.
 
See you soon!

Memory Monday Ramblings

I've blogged before about how "church" is a family thing. I've mentioned how I like to use music that has been around for a while as well as the newest music. Why? Because grandma probably likes the music that has been around for awhile, some of the great hymns of the faith are too wonderful to throw out just 'cause they weren't written last weekend by a famous Christian artist and a lot of the new songs are really fine songs that will last for years to come. Grandma sings the new music because it's important to her grandchildren. The youth and children sing the old hymns because they love grandma and want to bless her too.

When did we all get so selfish that we will only sing the songsWE like and not care a thing about what others like? "Sorry. I don't like that kind of music, I'll go worship somewhere else." Makes my blood boil.

Well, that's not where I was originally going with this post. (Just the "family" part.)

A new trend that some people are jumping in on is attending church on-line. Wow! You get to pick your preaching and music and anything else you like, watch videos of Bible studies, have a a virtual experience with God. Where's the "family" in that? Where's the community? Where's the considering others more improtant than yourself?

Philippians 2:3.Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4.do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Hmmm... I was leading up to Hebrews 10:24 as our Memory Monday verse, but Philippians 2:3-4 would be good too.

OK. (Can you tell I'm thinking as I'm typing.) We'll do Philippians 2:3-4 this week and Hebrews 10:24 next week. (You can look ahead if you like.) Would you call this "rambling?"

And as always, LIVING the verses is more important than memorizing them. :-) Memorizing these verses is probably  whole lot easier than living them. Thankfully it's possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Let me know how you're doing!

King of the Flood? - Memory Monday

Psalm 29:10.The LORD sat as King at the flood ; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.

The point of this Psalm is not that God brought the flood. I'm not going to be one of those TV preachers that blames all natural disasters on God punishing the sins of America. But I DO know that these natural disasters sho God's power because He is more powerful than they are. He rides the storm, He is enthroned in the flood. His majesty and power are heard in the thunder and seen in the lightning.
And yes, these disasters need to show us our need for Him and bring us closer to God and make us turn from our sin.

So for Memory Monday this week I am memorizing Psalm 29:10 The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.

There is more to this verse than what I have said here. Let God's Spirit show you more.

Here is the entire Psalm for you to read.

Psalm 29 (Holman Christian Standard)
A Psalm of David.

1.Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2.Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name ; Worship the LORD in holy array.

3.The voice of the LORD is upon the waters ; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters.

4.The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic.

5.The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars ; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6.He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox.

7.The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.

8.The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness ; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9.The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare ; And in His temple everything says, "Glory !"

10.The LORD sat as King at the flood ; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.

11.The LORD will give strength to His people ; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
 
Ah! The part you hoped for. With all of His power God still reaches out to His people and gives strength and peace! THAT takes power! 
 
Live as people of strength and peace!