I can't help but comment. Apparently, there are some words that are being "banished" from our every day conversations. The words are being rejected for misuse, overuse, or general uselessness. True, the banished words are from a non-binding list created by Michigan's Lake Superior State University. The suggested words come from surveys and suggestions primarily from the United States and Canada. Some of the suggested words are: fiscal cliff, superfood, guru, and spoiler alert.
The creators of this tongue-in-cheek decree are not the first to identify words that should be banished from our conversations. The apostle Paul wrote: "Let no unwholesome or corrupt words proceed from your mouth. But only such a word that is good for edification, according to the need for the moment, that you may bring grace to the hearer." The words that we speak should be edifying, appropriate at the time, and gracious. What words do you need to banish from your conversations? What edifying, timely, and gracious words do you need to add to your conversations?
Think about it.
Monday, December 31, 2012
New Year's Resolve
It's been since May 2012 that I've written anything on this page. I'm totally humiliated. It all started with such good intentions! I can't explain what happened. May turned into June, June turned into December, and now here we are in the last few hours of 2012. Maybe it was misplaced priorities, or laziness, or indifference. I don't know? Likely a combination of all these, but I have resolved to try again to be consistent with writing on this page. So...with a new determination, enthusiasm, and in keeping with the tradition of every new year, a definite resolution...I begin again to write, for certainly the time is now and near.
Six relevant questions to ask for 2013:
What's one thing that you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
How will you best use your influence for His glory this year?
What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
What one thing could you do to improve your appreciation and understanding of the Bible this year?
What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen and benefit your friendships this year?
Who is the best person for you to practically and tangibly demonstrate true forgiveness toward this year?
Six relevant questions to ask for 2013:
What's one thing that you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
How will you best use your influence for His glory this year?
What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
What one thing could you do to improve your appreciation and understanding of the Bible this year?
What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen and benefit your friendships this year?
Who is the best person for you to practically and tangibly demonstrate true forgiveness toward this year?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Your Character is What You Are
Someone has said character is what you are when nobody is looking. In other words, our inner character determines our outward lives. This is why it is so essential that we guard and develop our inner life. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us; "Above all else, guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life." What does this mean? How do we develop our character? First, this means that we should be aware of the wrong attitudes, bitterness, anger, lust, pride, greed, self-righteousness, and a whole host of other sins that can take root in our inner character and bear fruit (exhibit) themselves in our outer lives. Second, we should develop our character by never letting the seeds of these specific sins lie in our hearts for too long (this is how they take root). We should moment-by-moment confess our sins. We should immediately turn from (repent) of these sins, forsake them, and live in the assurance of forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Third, we should develop our character by creating the habit of daily Bible intake. Fourth, we should also learn to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Finally, we should learn the value of Scripture meditation and memory (Joshua 1:8).
As you might guess, to guard and develop our inner lives is not easy To really do these things they must be a priority. We can usually find time for what we want, even if we have to take time from something else. The most important priority in our lives is to grow in our relationship with God. Not only must it be a priority, but the flesh and Satan will work to keep spiritual growth from happening. Sure, you will take "two steps forward and one step back," but take courage, guarding and developing our heart is not done in our own strength. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).
As you might guess, to guard and develop our inner lives is not easy To really do these things they must be a priority. We can usually find time for what we want, even if we have to take time from something else. The most important priority in our lives is to grow in our relationship with God. Not only must it be a priority, but the flesh and Satan will work to keep spiritual growth from happening. Sure, you will take "two steps forward and one step back," but take courage, guarding and developing our heart is not done in our own strength. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Questions to Ask on your Birthday
Today is my daughter Bree Allie's 9th birthday! That can't be right! She was born yesterday! Time does fly! In honor of the birthday theme I was reminded of a piece written by Donald S. Whitney (a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) a few years ago:
Once when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on the circumstances that they were in and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.
Even the most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.
Your birthday is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get your bearings. To that end, here are a few questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.
1. What is one thing that you can do in the next 12 months that will increase your love for God?
2. What is the single most important thing that you could do in the next 12 months to increase your love for your spouse and/or children?
3. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, what will you do about it in the next 12 months?
4. What is the most helpful new way that you can strengthen your church in the next 12 months?
5. For whose salvation can you pray in the next 12 months?
6. What one thing could you do in the next 12 months to increase your prayer life?
7. What one new thing have I never tried that I could do in the next 12 months?
8. Who is the person you most want to encourage in the next 12 months?
9. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read in the next 12 months?
10. What is the most important trip you want to take in the next 12 months?
Good questions! Just asking the question and giving an answer will increase the possibility of you accomplishing the answer. So Happy Birthday....now how about those questions?
Once when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on the circumstances that they were in and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.
Even the most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.
Your birthday is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get your bearings. To that end, here are a few questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.
1. What is one thing that you can do in the next 12 months that will increase your love for God?
2. What is the single most important thing that you could do in the next 12 months to increase your love for your spouse and/or children?
3. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, what will you do about it in the next 12 months?
4. What is the most helpful new way that you can strengthen your church in the next 12 months?
5. For whose salvation can you pray in the next 12 months?
6. What one thing could you do in the next 12 months to increase your prayer life?
7. What one new thing have I never tried that I could do in the next 12 months?
8. Who is the person you most want to encourage in the next 12 months?
9. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read in the next 12 months?
10. What is the most important trip you want to take in the next 12 months?
Good questions! Just asking the question and giving an answer will increase the possibility of you accomplishing the answer. So Happy Birthday....now how about those questions?
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Spiritual Spring Cleaning
Yesterday (April 14) we had a good "spring cleaning" at the church facilities. We cleaned out and swept the attic, washed windows, scrubbed and sanitized the nursery, did some much needed landscaping, cleaned out closets and cabinets, dusted the window blinds, and did those necessary things that generally get put off for lack of motivation, time, or weather. There were 19 brave souls who ventured to the building to do these things that so desperately needed to be done. Thank you to those who were able to give of your time and energy! The church facility looked fantastic this morning! Again thank you, thank you!
Sometimes I think we need to do some "spring cleaning" in our spiritual lives. We need to look at our lives to see if there needs to be a re-arrangement of priorities or a "throwing out" of apathy, bitterness, wrath, doubt, fear, malice, hate, and other sins of the heart and life. Maybe we need to "vacuum up" some bad habits, or "dust off" some good intentions, or "organize" our thoughts and motives. Come to think of it, we may need to go off on a spring mini-retreat for half a day with just our Bible, a pencil, and a yellow legal pad. Spend some time away from the phone, computer, etc., and pray about your relationship with the Lord. Ask Him to help you do some "spring cleaning" on your life and living.
Sometimes I think we need to do some "spring cleaning" in our spiritual lives. We need to look at our lives to see if there needs to be a re-arrangement of priorities or a "throwing out" of apathy, bitterness, wrath, doubt, fear, malice, hate, and other sins of the heart and life. Maybe we need to "vacuum up" some bad habits, or "dust off" some good intentions, or "organize" our thoughts and motives. Come to think of it, we may need to go off on a spring mini-retreat for half a day with just our Bible, a pencil, and a yellow legal pad. Spend some time away from the phone, computer, etc., and pray about your relationship with the Lord. Ask Him to help you do some "spring cleaning" on your life and living.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Teenagers Are Worth Praying For
It seems that there is much talk about war in the news every day. Weekly there are new threats, concerns, reactions, and troop or naval movements. Of course these things are serious. We should be in much prayer for peace and diplomacy. But let us never forget the war that rages daily over the lives of our youth. How much prayer is lifted up to God on behalf of the youth of our church, community, and country? Is there a sacrifice that is too costly to make to fight this war? Satan and his demons will not call a "cease fire." Though he is defeated, yet he fights even now. He will not surrender. As a result, we must not surrender! We must be faithful to the fight! Pray that our youth "will not be conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:1-2). Pray that out youth will "set their minds on the things above" (Col. 3:2). Pray that our youth will "flee youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (2 Tim. 2:22). Finally, pray that our youth would "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). Youth who are evangelized and taught today will be our leaders and decision makers in the future--pray for our youth.
Monday, February 20, 2012
God Inhabits Our Praise
I grew up singing; "Let's just praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord". In Psalms 113:1-6 the One to be praised is God. The participants in praise are the "servants of the Lord". The praise of the servants is to be prolonged "from this time forth and forevermore." Finally, the priority of praise is evident because "the Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens".
Praise is an important aspect of the Christian life that is often neglected. We are more inclined to pride, ponder, and pout than to praise. However, God expects the Christian to praise Him (Heb. 13:15). Praise can be expressed in many ways. For example; praise can be expressed in public (Psalm 35:18), with musical instruments (Psalm 33:2-3), in singing (Psalm 92:1), with the mouth (Psalm 34:1), and with all your heart (Psalm 86:12).
In his great book, Touch the World Through Prayer, author Wesley Duewel writes: "You will be stronger spiritually if you will build praise into your daily walk with the Lord. You will be healthier physically by making praise a part of your lifestyle. As you praise worry flees. Praise drives away frustrations, tension, and depression. Praise drives out the darkness and turns on God's light. Praise cleanses the atmosphere of Satan's suggestions of doubt, criticism, and irritation".
We use praise on Sunday mornings, but let us learn to praise the Lord every day!
Praise is an important aspect of the Christian life that is often neglected. We are more inclined to pride, ponder, and pout than to praise. However, God expects the Christian to praise Him (Heb. 13:15). Praise can be expressed in many ways. For example; praise can be expressed in public (Psalm 35:18), with musical instruments (Psalm 33:2-3), in singing (Psalm 92:1), with the mouth (Psalm 34:1), and with all your heart (Psalm 86:12).
In his great book, Touch the World Through Prayer, author Wesley Duewel writes: "You will be stronger spiritually if you will build praise into your daily walk with the Lord. You will be healthier physically by making praise a part of your lifestyle. As you praise worry flees. Praise drives away frustrations, tension, and depression. Praise drives out the darkness and turns on God's light. Praise cleanses the atmosphere of Satan's suggestions of doubt, criticism, and irritation".
We use praise on Sunday mornings, but let us learn to praise the Lord every day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)