Happy Father's Day
A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you're even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father's Day
Monday, June 21, 2010
Making Choices in Sensitive Issues
All of us makes hundreds of choices everyday. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them--- like what you wear or what you eat. But we always face decissions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong, and we don't want othes to do wrong, so how can we make such decission ?
If I choose one course of action:
... does it help my witness for Christ ?
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
Paul gives several important principles for ministry:
(1) Find common ground with those you contact
(2) Avoid a know- it all attitude,
(3) Make others feel accepted:
(4) Be sensitive to their needs and concerns; and
(5) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.
This principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.
... am I motivated by desire to help others to know Christ ?
I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23
Even as I try to please everybody in everyway. For I am not seeking my own good but of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33
Why did Paul say, "Follow my example"? Paul wasn't being arrogant--- he did not think himself as sinless. At this time, however, the christian believers did not know much about the life and ministry of Christ. Paul could not tell them to imitate Jesus, because the Gospels had not yet been written, so they did not know what Jesus was like. The best way to point this new Christians to Christ was to point them to a Christian whom they trusted. Paul had been in Corinth for almost two years and had built a relationship of trust with many of these believers.
... does it help me do my best ?
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25
At times we must even give up something good in order to do what God wants. Each person's special duties determine the descipline and denial that he or she must accept. Without a goal, discipline is nothing but self punishment. With the goal of pleasing God, our denial seems like nothing compare to the eternal, imperishable reward that will be ours.
... is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin ?
So If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
Today's pressures make it easy to ignore or forget the lessons of the past, But Paul cautions us to remember the lessons the Israelites learned about God so we can avoid repeating their errors. The key to remembering is to study the Bible regularly so that this lessons reminds us of how God wants us to live. We need not repeat their mistakes !
... is it the best and the most beneficial course of action ?
"Everything is permissible"--- but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23
Sometimes it's hard to know when to defer to the weaker believer. Paul gives a simple rule of thumb to help in making a decission----- we should be sensitive and gracious. While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others, While we have freedom in Christ, We shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting a Christian brother and sister. We are not to consider ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others.
... am I only thinking of myself, or do I truly care about the other person ?
Noboby should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
... am I acting loving or selfishly ?
But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the man who told you and for conscience sake-------the other man conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judge by anothe's conscience ? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for ? So wether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of the God. 1 Corinthians 10:28-31
Why shoul we be limited by another person's conscience ? Simply because we are to do all things for God's Glory, even our eating or drinking. Nothing we do should cause another believer to stumble. We do what is best for others, so that they might be saved. On the other hand Christian should not make a carrer out of being the weaker person with oversensitive consciences. Christian leaders and teachers should carefully teach about the freedom we have matters not expressly forbidden by Scriptures.
... does it Glorify God ?
... will it cause someone else to sin ?
Do not cause anyone to stumble, wether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. 1 Corinthians 10:32
God's Love must so permeate our motives that all we do will be for His Glory, Keep this as a guiding principle by asking, "Is this action Glorifying God ?" or "How can I honor God through this action?"
If I choose one course of action:
... does it help my witness for Christ ?
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
Paul gives several important principles for ministry:
(1) Find common ground with those you contact
(2) Avoid a know- it all attitude,
(3) Make others feel accepted:
(4) Be sensitive to their needs and concerns; and
(5) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.
This principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.
... am I motivated by desire to help others to know Christ ?
I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23
Even as I try to please everybody in everyway. For I am not seeking my own good but of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33
Why did Paul say, "Follow my example"? Paul wasn't being arrogant--- he did not think himself as sinless. At this time, however, the christian believers did not know much about the life and ministry of Christ. Paul could not tell them to imitate Jesus, because the Gospels had not yet been written, so they did not know what Jesus was like. The best way to point this new Christians to Christ was to point them to a Christian whom they trusted. Paul had been in Corinth for almost two years and had built a relationship of trust with many of these believers.
... does it help me do my best ?
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25
At times we must even give up something good in order to do what God wants. Each person's special duties determine the descipline and denial that he or she must accept. Without a goal, discipline is nothing but self punishment. With the goal of pleasing God, our denial seems like nothing compare to the eternal, imperishable reward that will be ours.
... is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin ?
So If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
Today's pressures make it easy to ignore or forget the lessons of the past, But Paul cautions us to remember the lessons the Israelites learned about God so we can avoid repeating their errors. The key to remembering is to study the Bible regularly so that this lessons reminds us of how God wants us to live. We need not repeat their mistakes !
... is it the best and the most beneficial course of action ?
"Everything is permissible"--- but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23
Sometimes it's hard to know when to defer to the weaker believer. Paul gives a simple rule of thumb to help in making a decission----- we should be sensitive and gracious. While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others, While we have freedom in Christ, We shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting a Christian brother and sister. We are not to consider ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others.
... am I only thinking of myself, or do I truly care about the other person ?
Noboby should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
... am I acting loving or selfishly ?
But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the man who told you and for conscience sake-------the other man conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judge by anothe's conscience ? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for ? So wether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of the God. 1 Corinthians 10:28-31
Why shoul we be limited by another person's conscience ? Simply because we are to do all things for God's Glory, even our eating or drinking. Nothing we do should cause another believer to stumble. We do what is best for others, so that they might be saved. On the other hand Christian should not make a carrer out of being the weaker person with oversensitive consciences. Christian leaders and teachers should carefully teach about the freedom we have matters not expressly forbidden by Scriptures.
... does it Glorify God ?
... will it cause someone else to sin ?
Do not cause anyone to stumble, wether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. 1 Corinthians 10:32
God's Love must so permeate our motives that all we do will be for His Glory, Keep this as a guiding principle by asking, "Is this action Glorifying God ?" or "How can I honor God through this action?"
Salvation's Freeway
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the law and the prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, ( Romans 3:20-22)
In this verses, we see two functions of God's Law. First, It shows us where we go wrong. Because of the Law, we know that we are helpless sinner's and that we must come to Jesus Christ for Mercy. Second, the moral code revealed in the Law can serve to guide our actions by holding up God's moral standards. We do not earn Salvation by keeping the Law (no one except Christ ever kept or could keep God's Law perfectly). But we do please God when our lives conform to His revealed will for us.
And after all this bad news about our sinfulness and God's condemnation. Paul gives the wonderful news. There is the way to be declared not guilty--- by trusting Jesus Christ to take away our sins. Trusting means putting our confidence in Christ to forgive our sins, to make us right with God, and to empower us to live the way He taught us. God's solution is available to all of us regardless of our background or past behaviour.
Everyone has sinned.
For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Some sins seem bigger than others because their obvious consequences are much more serious. Murder, for example, seems to us to be worse than hatred, and adultery seems worst than lust. But this does not mean that because we do lesser sins we deserve Eternal Life. All sin makes us sinners, and all sins cuts us off from our Holy God. All sin, therefore, leads to death (because it disqualifies us from living with God). regardless of how great or small it seems. Don't minimize "little" sins or overrate "big" sins. They all seperate us from God, but they all can be forgiven.
The Penalty for our sin is Death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Etenal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
You are free to choose between two masters but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ currency is Eternal life--- new life with God that begin here on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made ?
Jesus Christ died for sin.
But God demonstrates His own Love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
While we were still sinners---- These are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because He love us.
Whenever you feel uncertain about God's Love for you, remember that He Loved you even before you turned to Him. If God Loved you when you were a rebel, He can surely strengten you, now that you Love Him in return.
To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ.
But what does it say ? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:8-10)
Christ has provided our Salvation through His incarnation (coming to earth) and resurrection (coming back from the dead). God's Salvation is right in front of us. He will come to us wherever we are. All we have to do is respond and accept His gift of Salvation.
Have you ever been asked, "How do I become a christian ?" These verses give you beautiful answer--- Salvation is as close as your own mouth and heart, People think it must be a complicated process, but it is not. If we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved.
Amen !!!
In this verses, we see two functions of God's Law. First, It shows us where we go wrong. Because of the Law, we know that we are helpless sinner's and that we must come to Jesus Christ for Mercy. Second, the moral code revealed in the Law can serve to guide our actions by holding up God's moral standards. We do not earn Salvation by keeping the Law (no one except Christ ever kept or could keep God's Law perfectly). But we do please God when our lives conform to His revealed will for us.
And after all this bad news about our sinfulness and God's condemnation. Paul gives the wonderful news. There is the way to be declared not guilty--- by trusting Jesus Christ to take away our sins. Trusting means putting our confidence in Christ to forgive our sins, to make us right with God, and to empower us to live the way He taught us. God's solution is available to all of us regardless of our background or past behaviour.
Everyone has sinned.
For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Some sins seem bigger than others because their obvious consequences are much more serious. Murder, for example, seems to us to be worse than hatred, and adultery seems worst than lust. But this does not mean that because we do lesser sins we deserve Eternal Life. All sin makes us sinners, and all sins cuts us off from our Holy God. All sin, therefore, leads to death (because it disqualifies us from living with God). regardless of how great or small it seems. Don't minimize "little" sins or overrate "big" sins. They all seperate us from God, but they all can be forgiven.
The Penalty for our sin is Death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Etenal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
You are free to choose between two masters but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ currency is Eternal life--- new life with God that begin here on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made ?
But God demonstrates His own Love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
While we were still sinners---- These are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because He love us.
Whenever you feel uncertain about God's Love for you, remember that He Loved you even before you turned to Him. If God Loved you when you were a rebel, He can surely strengten you, now that you Love Him in return.
To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ.
But what does it say ? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:8-10)
Christ has provided our Salvation through His incarnation (coming to earth) and resurrection (coming back from the dead). God's Salvation is right in front of us. He will come to us wherever we are. All we have to do is respond and accept His gift of Salvation.
Have you ever been asked, "How do I become a christian ?" These verses give you beautiful answer--- Salvation is as close as your own mouth and heart, People think it must be a complicated process, but it is not. If we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved.
Amen !!!
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