Obey

I have been, for the last several years, seeking to read thru the Bible.
This was started back in 2006 when The Wesleyan Church declared 2006 to be the Year of the Bible. And TWC even made available copies of a bible specifically designed to read the Bible in an entire year.
That was an excellent way to read the bible, but I sometimes found that it was too much information coming at me all at once. I was, sometimes, on “information overload”.
So after the year was over, I went out and purchased a new bible with the specific intention of reading thru the bible at my own pace.
The first year, I read through the New Testament (NT), and now I am making my way through the Old Testament (OT).
I am absolutely amazed at the wealth of knowledge found in the OT, that sometimes get’s overlooked.
Take for example, the call of Jeremiah, as found in Jeremiah 1:4-8 “The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (NLT2)
Verse 5 is an excellent reminder of God being in complete control and how He knows us better than we know ourselves.
But the what really stood out to me from this passage was verses 6-8. After God told Jeremiah that He knew all about him, Jeremiah said: ““O Sovereign Lord,” …“I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (NLT2)
Jeremiah was afraid that his age would be a problem & God told Jeremiah that it was not a problem and what Jeremiah was to do was say what God wanted him to say and go where God wanted him to go.
This my friends, is the call to obedience. What God wants from all of His children—regardless of their age—is to walk in obedience with Him.
Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:14, NIV) and “…If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching….” (John 14:23, NIV)
John, a follower of Jesus, wrote “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…” (1 John 5:3, NIV)
At the end of the day, God wants each one of us to ask ourselves “have we obeyed Him?”

Life Lessons

My daughter, Erica, does something that drives me up the wall. Those of you that have had two (or more) kids may understand what I am about to say.
Before Erica will do anything, she will look and see what her sister is doing. Take a recent trip to my garage for example:
I was putting their bikes in the back of the van, and Emma wanted her bike helmet, and as soon as Erica came out into the garage, she said “I want my helmet”
I told her “the only reason that you want your helmet is because your sister has her helmet”. Of course she responded “yes”.
This happens all of the time. If Emma has a piece of cheese for lunch, Erica will have to have a piece of cheese for lunch….
This,I have to tell, you drives me crazy. I want my kids to have their own personality, and they will, eventually, but why can’t Erica do her own thing????
You know friends; my two year old daughter is smarter than she realizes. What Erica is doing is what each disciple of Jesus is supposed to do.
Before we do anything, we are to look at our Heavenly Father and ask Him:
“Is this what You would do?”
The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 5:1&2 that we are to “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIV)
Before we do anything at all, we should be looking at our heavenly father and doing things He would do.
1 John 2:6 reminds us that “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (NIV)
Before we as disciples of Jesus Christ do anything at all, we must ask ourselves and of the Lord: “will this represent the Lord?”
And unlike Erica’s father’s reaction, when we imitate God, when we follow Jesus, we will bring Him great pleasure, because we will be doing what He has asked us to do.
It’s amazing what kids can teach a person about God, isn’t it?

Church

I love the Church. (Not just the one that I Pastor: see photo below) but the Church of Jesus Christ. I love working in the church, I love being in the church. I am devoting my life to the church. I am betting the farm on Jesus Christ and what He said.

I love coming to church on Sunday Mornings. I have been here at this church for 7 years, and I have, that I can remember, only dreaded coming once. I love the church and I love the God experience that I beleive happens in the church on Sunday morning.

I beleive that God wants followers of Jesus Christ to be in church-- His Church-- on a Sunday morning, because God meets with His people in the church. (See There's no I in Church by Keith Drury) On a Sunday morning, in Church, I meet with God.

Sure I've met with God in my office more times than not, but when I come together with other disciples of Christ, something happens... I think God shows up at church, and when that happens, I love the church all the more.

I know where I'll be on a Sunday morning... how about you?

hello

well, here I am, I've joined the online craze, and started a blog.

i've thought about getting one up and going for a few weeks, not sure why, but anyway here it is.

i'm not sure what will be on it..something or nothing..... but always remember: "you get what you pay for"