jim wall
Good Morning!
In a lot of organizations, change is like putting lipstick on a bulldog. There’s a tremendous amount of effort involved, and most times all you get is some cosmetics – and an angry bulldog.
Real changes, whether in a business, church, family, or in ourselves, can be difficult. While we long for a deep and lasting transformation, we often get only a temporary cover-up that solves nothing and satisfies no one.
The word repent is used in the Bible to describe the beginning of genuine spiritual change.
When we feel sorry for doing wrong or for getting caught, it may be nothing more than a spiritual cosmetic. But true repentance occurs deep in our hearts and results in a visible difference in our actions.
When we turn to Christ and yield to Him, He produces real change – not just a cover-up.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Wesley
He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
Today it is my prayer that You know that God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus, God’s own Son.
Jesus came not only to offer humanity salvation but calling on us to love God and people. When we do that, the world becomes a better place to for all to live.
He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
Today it is my prayer that You know that God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus, God’s own Son.
Jesus came not only to offer humanity salvation but calling on us to love God and people. When we do that, the world becomes a better place to for all to live.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
BOB PEDEN
The Holy Bible, The Sacred Scriptures, The Word of God – call it what you will the Bible is a Christian’s ultimate source for information about the God we know and love. Everything else we learn about God, we must test against what the Bible tells us about God.
Nature rings with God’s glory. His fingerprints can be seen all over His creation. But human culture also has much to say about God. Writers, scientists, philosophers, musicians, photographers, dancers, movie-makers, all – tell of what their experience of God is. But it is important for each of us to test what we read, see, and hear against what we read in the Bible about God.
The Bible, taken as a whole, is God’s revelation of himself to each of us. Read it for yourself. Then you can test what others say about God or what they say the Bible says, and see for yourself what is pure and true and leads to God.
The Holy Bible, The Sacred Scriptures, The Word of God – call it what you will the Bible is a Christian’s ultimate source for information about the God we know and love. Everything else we learn about God, we must test against what the Bible tells us about God.
Nature rings with God’s glory. His fingerprints can be seen all over His creation. But human culture also has much to say about God. Writers, scientists, philosophers, musicians, photographers, dancers, movie-makers, all – tell of what their experience of God is. But it is important for each of us to test what we read, see, and hear against what we read in the Bible about God.
The Bible, taken as a whole, is God’s revelation of himself to each of us. Read it for yourself. Then you can test what others say about God or what they say the Bible says, and see for yourself what is pure and true and leads to God.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
BOB PEDEN
Have you read the book of Jonah lately? Most people get caught up in the God provided a great fish that swallowed Jonah for three days and then spit him out on the beach part of the story and miss out on the real point of the story. Which is that God’s grace is for all people, even, or is it especially, those people we hate the most. And that he expects us to be the ones to carry the message of His love and grace to them.
Today, as in Jonah’s day, it is easy to get caught up in the us versus them mentality that leads us to hate others; so that, like Jonah, even if they repented and turned back to God, we would not like them at all.
But that can lead us to ignore Jesus’ final words to us, “Go into all the world, teaching them to obey everything that I have told you.” If we are His friends, we will do His will.
Have you read the book of Jonah lately? Most people get caught up in the God provided a great fish that swallowed Jonah for three days and then spit him out on the beach part of the story and miss out on the real point of the story. Which is that God’s grace is for all people, even, or is it especially, those people we hate the most. And that he expects us to be the ones to carry the message of His love and grace to them.
Today, as in Jonah’s day, it is easy to get caught up in the us versus them mentality that leads us to hate others; so that, like Jonah, even if they repented and turned back to God, we would not like them at all.
But that can lead us to ignore Jesus’ final words to us, “Go into all the world, teaching them to obey everything that I have told you.” If we are His friends, we will do His will.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
JIM CAIN
A friend of my son approached him while he was reading the morning paper and said, “Daddy, I’m old enough to get my permit, and I want to take the test and get it. Then when I get my full driver’s license 30 days from now, I want a brand new Ford truck.”
Steve sat there for a moment and then said, “I will agree to that if you do 3 things. You’re going to have to read your Bible every day. You’re going to have to pull up your grades in Chemistry, and you’re going to have to get a haircut.”
Well, before you know it a month had passed and Alton was back in front of his Daddy saying, “I got my driver’s license now and I’m ready for my new truck.”
Steve smiled at his son and said, “I noticed that you’re reading your Bible everyday, your momma showed me your progress report with an A on it in Chemistry, but you still haven’t gotten a haircut, so no truck just yet.”
Never at a loss for words, even at 16, Alton quickly said, “But Daddy, Jesus had long hair.” Steve replied, “Yeah, and Jesus also walked everywhere He went.”
The longest journey in the world begins with just one step; take a step towards trusting and obeying Jesus today. You’ll be glad you did!
A friend of my son approached him while he was reading the morning paper and said, “Daddy, I’m old enough to get my permit, and I want to take the test and get it. Then when I get my full driver’s license 30 days from now, I want a brand new Ford truck.”
Steve sat there for a moment and then said, “I will agree to that if you do 3 things. You’re going to have to read your Bible every day. You’re going to have to pull up your grades in Chemistry, and you’re going to have to get a haircut.”
Well, before you know it a month had passed and Alton was back in front of his Daddy saying, “I got my driver’s license now and I’m ready for my new truck.”
Steve smiled at his son and said, “I noticed that you’re reading your Bible everyday, your momma showed me your progress report with an A on it in Chemistry, but you still haven’t gotten a haircut, so no truck just yet.”
Never at a loss for words, even at 16, Alton quickly said, “But Daddy, Jesus had long hair.” Steve replied, “Yeah, and Jesus also walked everywhere He went.”
The longest journey in the world begins with just one step; take a step towards trusting and obeying Jesus today. You’ll be glad you did!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
BOB RAMBO
Hi! I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church.
The holidays are just around the corner – first Thanksgiving, then the annual month-long assault of shopping and overeating that ends with Christmas. Sound familiar?
But wait! What if, this year, we chose to celebrate Christmas in a different way? What if, this year, we got off the “treadmill” of overspending and remembered that Christmas is not about US, but a time to celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world? How might we properly “honor” Jesus as we celebrate his birth?
What if we chose to spend at least as much on those less fortunate as we spend on ourselves? What if we contributed to feed the hungry or provide shelter for abused women and children? What if we gave extra to United Way or Salvation Army or the 1 JOHN 3:17 Ministry or to our local churches?
I hope as you prepare for the holidays, you keep your plans in the spirit of what this time is all about – giving thanks for the God who provides for us and who comes to us.
Have a great day!
Hi! I’m Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church.
The holidays are just around the corner – first Thanksgiving, then the annual month-long assault of shopping and overeating that ends with Christmas. Sound familiar?
But wait! What if, this year, we chose to celebrate Christmas in a different way? What if, this year, we got off the “treadmill” of overspending and remembered that Christmas is not about US, but a time to celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world? How might we properly “honor” Jesus as we celebrate his birth?
What if we chose to spend at least as much on those less fortunate as we spend on ourselves? What if we contributed to feed the hungry or provide shelter for abused women and children? What if we gave extra to United Way or Salvation Army or the 1 JOHN 3:17 Ministry or to our local churches?
I hope as you prepare for the holidays, you keep your plans in the spirit of what this time is all about – giving thanks for the God who provides for us and who comes to us.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Jim Wall
Good Morning!
An old man thought he had committed the unpardonable sin. Overwhelmed with guilt, he mistakenly thought he had done something that God would not forgive.
Then a question came to his mind: If I am headed for hell, what would I want to do there? He though, I would want to meet with others for prayer. Immediately, he saw the absurdity of his fears. He knew that years earlier he had trusted Christ as his Savior, and he had a desire to know and please God. This was evidence that God’s Spirit truly lived in his heart.
Many sensitive Christians fear they have done or said something that is beyond forgiveness.
The only unforgivable sin is to continually and willfully reject the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Savior. Nothing but total rejection of Christ is unpardonable. God graciously forgives all who come to Him.
Good Morning!
An old man thought he had committed the unpardonable sin. Overwhelmed with guilt, he mistakenly thought he had done something that God would not forgive.
Then a question came to his mind: If I am headed for hell, what would I want to do there? He though, I would want to meet with others for prayer. Immediately, he saw the absurdity of his fears. He knew that years earlier he had trusted Christ as his Savior, and he had a desire to know and please God. This was evidence that God’s Spirit truly lived in his heart.
Many sensitive Christians fear they have done or said something that is beyond forgiveness.
The only unforgivable sin is to continually and willfully reject the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Savior. Nothing but total rejection of Christ is unpardonable. God graciously forgives all who come to Him.
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