Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ephesians 3 – Facing PROBLEMS now and yet to come (Read vv 14-21)

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  (NIV)
The Apostle who described himself as the “chief of sinners,” also prayed the prayer above as testimony to the awesome God whom he served.  We have much to be thankful for and the best way to thank God is to accept the forgiveness He offers through faith in Jesus and then live a life that is an expression of your thankfulness.  God has showed us how.

So, it is your choice.  Having considered these 7 passages from the Bible, will it continue to be “Your” / “I” / “My Way” or are you ready for a wonderful change?  Need more information to consider?   Here is our suggestion:

  • Begin reading the Gospel of John (4th book in the New Testament) and continue reading the books that follow.
  • As you start, ask Jesus to lead you in an understanding of His Word.
  • If you are in the Rootstown area, stop in and visit Community Bible Church.

Enjoy the Journey!

 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Philippians 3:8-14  – PROBLEMS of the Past and ATTITUDE for the rest of your life

Especially 3:13b-14 " Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  New Living Translation.

Mistakes made can have a way of trapping us and holding us back.  There may even be people who have judged you and keep reminding you of your past.  Plus, Satan loves to bring back those bad memories and failures and keep replaying them in our minds.  But realize this – no one had more to be sorry about and stuck in the guilt of the past than the Apostle Paul.  And yet no one presents a better example of a subsequent life lived for Jesus.  I've heard it said that the "Misery / Pain of the Past can become your Ministry / Passion in the Present." 

Consider the lyrics of Matthew West's song, "Do Something:"
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”


Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you!”

CHORUS: 
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”

Repeat CHORUS
 
We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still

Repeat CHORUS


 

Monday, May 6, 2013

Colossians 3 - Guidelines for Living - a New Testament Summary

Colossians 3:12-17:  What does Jesus want me to do? 
 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and
forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body
you were called to peace. And be thankful.   Let the message of Christ dwell among you
richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns,
and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever
you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through him.”   New International Version




Not long ago the phrase “W.W.J.D.” [What Would Jesus Do?] was very popular.  Perhaps you wore an arm band or had some other reminder.  Well, this passage is an expanded answer to that thought-provoking question.