Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So here we are, the week of Thanksgiving. I just got back from South Dakota for a speaking engagement with Project 52, time with family and a deer hunt with a great friend of mine. I think God has a great sense of humor. I was trying to think of what I ought to blog on and contentment popped into my head. (like I'm really the guy to write on this)
But Paul is the guy. In Philippians he says he has learned to be content whatever the circumstance! Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself and maybe you shouldn't either. He says "he has learned" That means he probably wasn't always. But he trained in learning that secret. And the writer of Hebrews reiterates it: Be content with what you have! Wow!
I was working out this morning and the song by Casting Crowns was playing, Somewhere in the Middle. I guess they are training in this secret of being content. One of their lines is- somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more, and then they go on to say, somewhere in the middle that's where you'll find me.
So that's where you'll find me this Thanksgiving week 2009, somewhere in the middle of being content and somewhere of wanting more. Grace is this-God loves me anyway and He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us. And His Spirit is with us now through the Word and that's why we can rejoice at the words, never will I leave you or forsake you! You have Jesus, that means you have everything that counts! I hope that helps you when you find yourself sad over things you once had but no longer have this Thanksgiving season.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Out of the Mouth of Babes
One Easter I talked about the movement of God. Guess what folks? When God moves nothing stops Him. Ever try and stop a tornado? A huge wave? As Gamaliel said in Acts when the Jews were trying to get the disciples to be quiet about Jesus...
Acts 5:34ff- But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Project 52 is of God otherwise it would be failing. We were told at Tyler's tree planting we could not pray or say anything "religious" because we were on public land, a school. God took care of it. The children were allowed to say what Tyler meant to them. There sure was alot of mentioning of God and heaven! Out of the mouths of babes! (That's all I need to say)
The movement of God cannot be stopped- He'll even use rocks to declare His praise. That day He used children. Ever try and stop a tornado?
In Christ,
Pastor John
Acts 5:34ff- But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Project 52 is of God otherwise it would be failing. We were told at Tyler's tree planting we could not pray or say anything "religious" because we were on public land, a school. God took care of it. The children were allowed to say what Tyler meant to them. There sure was alot of mentioning of God and heaven! Out of the mouths of babes! (That's all I need to say)
The movement of God cannot be stopped- He'll even use rocks to declare His praise. That day He used children. Ever try and stop a tornado?
In Christ,
Pastor John
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