as a pastor, i've walked with a lot of people through a lot of grief. psychologists see emotional pain, doctors see the physical pain, bankers and financial counselors see the financial pain, pastors see it all. I have dealt with people every day in pain. financial pain, relational pain, physical pain, emotional pain, marriage pain, parenting pain. pastors see it all.
the test of a man's faith is at the funeral. how does he handle it? it breaks my heart to see at a funeral, where nobody there was a believer, and they had no hope and nothing to comfort them. there is nothing more pathetic than being at a funeral and seeing people try to cheer themselves up with nothing. no hope.
the bible says when JESUS CHRIST comes into our life, we have a hope. revelation 21.4 says that someday in heaven for believers there will be a place of no pain, no more sorrow, no more suffering, no more grief, no anger, no more resentment, no more victims. i'm looking forward to that.
now, i'm not trying to scare you into heaven. i invite you to invite JESUS CHRIST into your life, not because you're going to die today, because you're probably not going to. but because you've got to live tomorrow.
between today and the time you do die whenever that may be, you will have to face some major tragedies in life. if you don't believe so, you're just kidding yourself. you will face major tragedies in your life. and the question is what are you going to have to hold onto when that comes? what is going to motivate you to get up, get out of bed and go on when your whole world ends because of the death of a loved one, a major crisis or tragedy? what is going to give you hope?
i see people facing tragedies and falling apart and i think, "how senseless! when GOD says, I'm aware, I care, I want to help you out, to be your friend. I will strengthen you and help you." GOD will help you if you let HIM.
some of you are a short way away from collapse. you are reading this today and you're hurting and it's just about all you can do to hold the tears back. i want to say to you, GOD cares and your pain matters to HIM. HE is aware of the frustration in your life. HE is aware of the hurt, the frustration, the guilt, the anger, the resentment, the fear, the depression. HE says, I want to help you out.
and remember, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
GOD sent us someONE to comfort us...
two thousand years ago, JESUS walked around in a body here on earth and said to HIS disciples, "I'm going to go back to heaven but when I go, I'm going to come back to earth in another form, in the form of a spirit, so I can be with you and in you." that's the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS CHRIST coming in another form. HE called the HOLY SPIRIT the comforter. one of the jobs of the HOLY SPIRIT is to comfort us.
so when i invited JESUS CHRIST into my life i said, i commit myself to YOU. i want to get to know YOU better.
now i'm not talking about religion. you may be catholic, protestant, jewish, whatever. i'm talking about relationship.
you see, JESUS put HIS SPIRIT in my life. i don't always feel HIM all the time, but HE strengthens me to make it through the tough times in life. HE helps me out.
the HOLY SPIRIT comes into your life, not to make you some kind of religious fanatic, not to scare you, not to turn you into some kind of an oddball, but to comfort you and help you become what GOD wants you to become. you don't have to be afraid of that.
i didn't feel any different when i made the commitment. but i have noticed the results over the years in my life, when i didn't think i could make it anymore.
and you can have that same power in your life. HE wants to live in you. HE wants to be your friend. HE wants to have a relationship with you so that when the tough tragedies of life come you have some inner strength.
romans 15.13 (phillips translation), may the GOD of hope fill you will all joy ... that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.
when you invite GOD to put HIS SPIRIT in your life, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope. and that's what you need, something to hope in.
just a thought from the front porch…
so when i invited JESUS CHRIST into my life i said, i commit myself to YOU. i want to get to know YOU better.
now i'm not talking about religion. you may be catholic, protestant, jewish, whatever. i'm talking about relationship.
you see, JESUS put HIS SPIRIT in my life. i don't always feel HIM all the time, but HE strengthens me to make it through the tough times in life. HE helps me out.
the HOLY SPIRIT comes into your life, not to make you some kind of religious fanatic, not to scare you, not to turn you into some kind of an oddball, but to comfort you and help you become what GOD wants you to become. you don't have to be afraid of that.
i didn't feel any different when i made the commitment. but i have noticed the results over the years in my life, when i didn't think i could make it anymore.
and you can have that same power in your life. HE wants to live in you. HE wants to be your friend. HE wants to have a relationship with you so that when the tough tragedies of life come you have some inner strength.
romans 15.13 (phillips translation), may the GOD of hope fill you will all joy ... that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.
when you invite GOD to put HIS SPIRIT in your life, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope. and that's what you need, something to hope in.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, September 28, 2009
people need to know someone understands...
look at 2 corinthians 1.3-4 in the message. HE comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, HE brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as GOD was there for us.
if you're not in pain right now, what does this verse say? can you remember that pain you went through months ago, or years ago? if you can, you have an obligation to help other people through the same hurt you've gone through.
GOD allows us to go through problems, comforts us, so we can turn around and comfort other people with the same comfort we've received.
you don't know all the lessons you learned from it? people in pain don't need advice. they just need someone to say, "i understand. i know what it's like to have a child die. i know what it's like to go through a divorce. i know what it's like to lose your job overnight. i know what it's like to miss a goal, a dream."
GOD never wastes a hurt. if you have had a problem in your life that you have gone through, you have an obligation to other people to help them through it too. that's your ministry.
GOD wants to use the hurts you've had in your life to encourage others. whether you've learned anything or not, just the very fact that you can say, "i understand. i know where you're coming from. i remember the loneliness. i remember the pain. i remember the rejection. i remember what it felt like to be brought up in the home of alcoholic parents. i know what it's like to be brought up where my mom walked out the door and never came back. i know what it's like."
there are people all around you who need your comfort. they need your help.
just a thought from the front porch…
if you're not in pain right now, what does this verse say? can you remember that pain you went through months ago, or years ago? if you can, you have an obligation to help other people through the same hurt you've gone through.
GOD allows us to go through problems, comforts us, so we can turn around and comfort other people with the same comfort we've received.
you don't know all the lessons you learned from it? people in pain don't need advice. they just need someone to say, "i understand. i know what it's like to have a child die. i know what it's like to go through a divorce. i know what it's like to lose your job overnight. i know what it's like to miss a goal, a dream."
GOD never wastes a hurt. if you have had a problem in your life that you have gone through, you have an obligation to other people to help them through it too. that's your ministry.
GOD wants to use the hurts you've had in your life to encourage others. whether you've learned anything or not, just the very fact that you can say, "i understand. i know where you're coming from. i remember the loneliness. i remember the pain. i remember the rejection. i remember what it felt like to be brought up in the home of alcoholic parents. i know what it's like to be brought up where my mom walked out the door and never came back. i know what it's like."
there are people all around you who need your comfort. they need your help.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, September 27, 2009
HIS comfort is your choice...
something else that GOD uses to comfort people when they have been hurt is HIS people.
we were not made to be isolated from each other. there is no such thing as a lone ranger CHRISTian. we need each other to make it. if you don't have any family HIS church is a family. that's what GOD meant the church to be. you need to be in a family.
2 corinthians 1.3-4 (niv), the GOD of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from GOD.
if you're hurting today, you are not alone in your hurt. you think your problem is unique, that is not true. no matter what problem you have it is not unique.
hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of people over the history of humanity have had the very same problem you have right now. and in any church no matter the size there are many other people who have already gone through what you're going through right now.
for your own sake, you need to find a church family. don't just be a spectator; be a participator. meet some people so that when you go through the crises of life there are people there to help you.
GOD wants to comfort you in your time of pain but you have to avail yourself of HIS means of comfort. HIS church is one of those means.
just a thought from the front porch…
we were not made to be isolated from each other. there is no such thing as a lone ranger CHRISTian. we need each other to make it. if you don't have any family HIS church is a family. that's what GOD meant the church to be. you need to be in a family.
2 corinthians 1.3-4 (niv), the GOD of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from GOD.
if you're hurting today, you are not alone in your hurt. you think your problem is unique, that is not true. no matter what problem you have it is not unique.
hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of people over the history of humanity have had the very same problem you have right now. and in any church no matter the size there are many other people who have already gone through what you're going through right now.
for your own sake, you need to find a church family. don't just be a spectator; be a participator. meet some people so that when you go through the crises of life there are people there to help you.
GOD wants to comfort you in your time of pain but you have to avail yourself of HIS means of comfort. HIS church is one of those means.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, September 26, 2009
HE wants to comfort you in your pain...
matthew 5.4 (tev), happy are those who mourn; GOD will comfort them!
how do i be happy in the midst of trial and tragedy? this beatitude says we are to receive GOD's comfort.
now it is amazing what some people try to be comforted by. some people take pills. some people get drunk. some people try affairs. some people watch tv all the time. some people read novels, fantasize in novels. some people sleep all the time, all of them trying to get rid of all the pain in their life.
GOD says, don't do those things. they are just quick fixes, they don't last. so what comforters does God use?
well, one comforter is HIS word. David said in Psalm 119.25, 52 (lb), i am completely discouraged... revive me by YOUR word…YOUR word has been my comfort.
read through the book of psalms and highlight all the verses that comfort you. then you will have them in those times of trouble to read what GOD says to you. psalms was written to comfort us.
there are over 7000 promises in the bible. underline all the promises so you'll know where they are. and claim them.
i know that many of you who are reading this have a lot of hidden hurt. behind our pretty faces is a lot of pain.
and you may be saying, "does GOD have a word for me?" the answer is "yes, HE does have a word for you. the word is, your pain matters to HIM." HE sees it, HE understands it, HE feels it. HE'll help you in that frustration, that pain, that hurt. just look to GOD's word and become a student of HIS book.
just a thought from the front porch…
how do i be happy in the midst of trial and tragedy? this beatitude says we are to receive GOD's comfort.
now it is amazing what some people try to be comforted by. some people take pills. some people get drunk. some people try affairs. some people watch tv all the time. some people read novels, fantasize in novels. some people sleep all the time, all of them trying to get rid of all the pain in their life.
GOD says, don't do those things. they are just quick fixes, they don't last. so what comforters does God use?
well, one comforter is HIS word. David said in Psalm 119.25, 52 (lb), i am completely discouraged... revive me by YOUR word…YOUR word has been my comfort.
read through the book of psalms and highlight all the verses that comfort you. then you will have them in those times of trouble to read what GOD says to you. psalms was written to comfort us.
there are over 7000 promises in the bible. underline all the promises so you'll know where they are. and claim them.
i know that many of you who are reading this have a lot of hidden hurt. behind our pretty faces is a lot of pain.
and you may be saying, "does GOD have a word for me?" the answer is "yes, HE does have a word for you. the word is, your pain matters to HIM." HE sees it, HE understands it, HE feels it. HE'll help you in that frustration, that pain, that hurt. just look to GOD's word and become a student of HIS book.
just a thought from the front porch…
Friday, September 25, 2009
let HIM fight for you...
the hurts that hurt the most are those that are out of our control. someone did something to us that we couldn't control and they hurt us and it's out of our control. but it's not out of GOD's control.
never forget that GOD is aware of everything people do to you. everything. the bible says HE's keeping a record.
romans 12.19 (ms), don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "i'll do the judging," says GOD. "i'll take care of it."
leave it in GOD's hands and let GOD be GOD and fight your battles. HE can do a better job of it than you can.
so what do you do with the anger inside? when we loose something or something is taken away from us we're angry at the person who took it away. what do i do with that anger? turn it into constructive use. use that energy to help other people.
a good example of that is m.a.d.d. – mothers against drunk driving. angry, and they had every right to be angry, because children, husbands or whoever was killed by a drunk driver. but they channeled that anger in a right way to try to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road.
that's a legitimate use of anger. if you're mourning, in grief, hurting, realize that GOD is with you. HE's close to the brokenhearted. if you're in mourning today, if you're hurting today, GOD has never been closer to you. realize that HE is aware, HE cares and HE wants to help you. give HIM the hurt. release it to HIM. don't dwell on the past, don't resent it and don't rehearse it and don't repress it. release it to GOD. let HIM have it.
just a thought from the front porch…
never forget that GOD is aware of everything people do to you. everything. the bible says HE's keeping a record.
romans 12.19 (ms), don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "i'll do the judging," says GOD. "i'll take care of it."
leave it in GOD's hands and let GOD be GOD and fight your battles. HE can do a better job of it than you can.
so what do you do with the anger inside? when we loose something or something is taken away from us we're angry at the person who took it away. what do i do with that anger? turn it into constructive use. use that energy to help other people.
a good example of that is m.a.d.d. – mothers against drunk driving. angry, and they had every right to be angry, because children, husbands or whoever was killed by a drunk driver. but they channeled that anger in a right way to try to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road.
that's a legitimate use of anger. if you're mourning, in grief, hurting, realize that GOD is with you. HE's close to the brokenhearted. if you're in mourning today, if you're hurting today, GOD has never been closer to you. realize that HE is aware, HE cares and HE wants to help you. give HIM the hurt. release it to HIM. don't dwell on the past, don't resent it and don't rehearse it and don't repress it. release it to GOD. let HIM have it.
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, September 24, 2009
do you let your pain consume you?...
there are so many people when they have been hurt go over and over it in their mind. they torture themselves by thinking about it over and over.
GOD says, don't let it consume your thoughts. there's a big difference between mourning and moaning.
mourning is legitimate grief. JESUS said, matthew 5.4 (niv), blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. GOD wants to comfort you in your grief, your heartache. but there's a difference between mourning and moaning.
moaning is "oh, poor me! poor me!" and you want to keep a hold of it. you're having a pity party.
GOD says don't rehearse it. and HE also says don't resent it.
when somebody has hurt us, when the pain is caused by somebody else, we fantasize about how we can get back at that person in the same way they got us or got somebody that we love.
so what do you do? you release the hurt to GOD. what does that mean?
romans 12.19 (lb), dear friends, never avenge yourselves. leave that to GOD, for HE has said HE will repay those who deserve it. and aren't you glad that verse is in the bible?
if you want to let go of your hurt, you must let GOD settle the score. if somebody's hurt you, let GOD handle it.
just a thought from the front porch…
GOD says, don't let it consume your thoughts. there's a big difference between mourning and moaning.
mourning is legitimate grief. JESUS said, matthew 5.4 (niv), blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. GOD wants to comfort you in your grief, your heartache. but there's a difference between mourning and moaning.
moaning is "oh, poor me! poor me!" and you want to keep a hold of it. you're having a pity party.
GOD says don't rehearse it. and HE also says don't resent it.
when somebody has hurt us, when the pain is caused by somebody else, we fantasize about how we can get back at that person in the same way they got us or got somebody that we love.
so what do you do? you release the hurt to GOD. what does that mean?
romans 12.19 (lb), dear friends, never avenge yourselves. leave that to GOD, for HE has said HE will repay those who deserve it. and aren't you glad that verse is in the bible?
if you want to let go of your hurt, you must let GOD settle the score. if somebody's hurt you, let GOD handle it.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
are you stuck in your pain?...
we are looking at having a broken heart and happiness. now some people grow through their pain and some people get stuck in their pain. some people go on through their hurt and some get stuck in their hurt and never get past it. why? because they never release the hurt. they never let it go.
so how do I let it go? if that is what is keeping me from being happy then how? well, you must stop focusing on what's lost and start focusing on what's left.
isaiah 43.18 (ms), forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. (says the LORD).
GOD says, your past is past; let it go! it can't hurt you any more.
some of you are letting people from your past continue to hurt you. that dumb! they can't hurt you unless you let them. that's a choice. let it go!
now one option to do with your hurt is to repress it. you push it down, swallow it.
but if you swallow your feeling your stomach keeps score. if you pretend it doesn't exist and hold it in – that's unhealthy. i meet walking wounded all of the time because they've never let go of their hurt. they keep repressing it.
let me ask you are you repressing a hurt from your past? you have tried to put it out of your mind put something is said or something happens and there it is again. there is a lot of sickness today that many people are dealing with that comes from repressed pain. just let it go.
just a thought from the front porch…
so how do I let it go? if that is what is keeping me from being happy then how? well, you must stop focusing on what's lost and start focusing on what's left.
isaiah 43.18 (ms), forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. (says the LORD).
GOD says, your past is past; let it go! it can't hurt you any more.
some of you are letting people from your past continue to hurt you. that dumb! they can't hurt you unless you let them. that's a choice. let it go!
now one option to do with your hurt is to repress it. you push it down, swallow it.
but if you swallow your feeling your stomach keeps score. if you pretend it doesn't exist and hold it in – that's unhealthy. i meet walking wounded all of the time because they've never let go of their hurt. they keep repressing it.
let me ask you are you repressing a hurt from your past? you have tried to put it out of your mind put something is said or something happens and there it is again. there is a lot of sickness today that many people are dealing with that comes from repressed pain. just let it go.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
in our pain the fact is HE is there...
when we are hurting we forget where GOD is and we think HE seems distant or that HE doesn't care. but the fact is HE's there.
look at this. psalm 34.18 (ms), if your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, HE'll help you catch your breath. GOD is right there with you and HE is aware of your pain.
job 13.27, (ms) says, YOU watch every move i make. nothing escapes HIS eye.
the bible says your very tears, every tear you've cried is numbered. some of you say, "nobody knows what i'm going through." GOD knows and GOD cares.
nahum 1.7 (niv), the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. HE cares for those who trust in HIM.
we have a sympathetic heavenly FATHER who really cares. your pain matters to GOD. it really does. you can talk to HIM about your hurt. HE wants to help you out.
hebrews 4.16, (ms), so let's walk right up to HIM and get what HE is so ready to give. take the mercy, accept the help.
GOD not only offers us awareness, HE offers us assistance. GOD not only cares about your hurt, HE wants to help you with your hurt. HE doesn't just write you a note, "i'm thinking of you in this time."
GOD wants to strengthen you and give you comfort in your pain.
just a thought from the front porch…
look at this. psalm 34.18 (ms), if your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, HE'll help you catch your breath. GOD is right there with you and HE is aware of your pain.
job 13.27, (ms) says, YOU watch every move i make. nothing escapes HIS eye.
the bible says your very tears, every tear you've cried is numbered. some of you say, "nobody knows what i'm going through." GOD knows and GOD cares.
nahum 1.7 (niv), the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. HE cares for those who trust in HIM.
we have a sympathetic heavenly FATHER who really cares. your pain matters to GOD. it really does. you can talk to HIM about your hurt. HE wants to help you out.
hebrews 4.16, (ms), so let's walk right up to HIM and get what HE is so ready to give. take the mercy, accept the help.
GOD not only offers us awareness, HE offers us assistance. GOD not only cares about your hurt, HE wants to help you with your hurt. HE doesn't just write you a note, "i'm thinking of you in this time."
GOD wants to strengthen you and give you comfort in your pain.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, September 21, 2009
when was your first broken heart?...
we are looking at how JESUS started HIS first sermon. HE knew how important being happy is to people so HE gave 8 attitudes that will help us be happy.
now one area that JESUS knew would sap people of their happiness was losing something of great value to them so HE teaches us how to be happy in spite of our circumstances.
do you remember your first broken heart?
don't you wish all the heartbreaks were as easy as 7th grade? or whenever you had your first heart break. of course then it was just puppy love but puppy love is real to the puppy. you do know however that puppy love leads to a dog’s life. but the fact is, as you grow older, life is tough and there are a lot worse heartbreaks than 7th grade.
now the bible never tries to explain suffering. but what it does teach us is how to handle it. JESUS said in matthew 5.4 (ms), you're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. only then can you be embraced by the ONE most dear to you. or as the niv says it, blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
so how can i be happy after a loss, after a broken heart? by receiving the comfort of GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
now one area that JESUS knew would sap people of their happiness was losing something of great value to them so HE teaches us how to be happy in spite of our circumstances.
do you remember your first broken heart?
don't you wish all the heartbreaks were as easy as 7th grade? or whenever you had your first heart break. of course then it was just puppy love but puppy love is real to the puppy. you do know however that puppy love leads to a dog’s life. but the fact is, as you grow older, life is tough and there are a lot worse heartbreaks than 7th grade.
now the bible never tries to explain suffering. but what it does teach us is how to handle it. JESUS said in matthew 5.4 (ms), you're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. only then can you be embraced by the ONE most dear to you. or as the niv says it, blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
so how can i be happy after a loss, after a broken heart? by receiving the comfort of GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, September 20, 2009
let's pray...
would you pray this prayer in your heart? GOD, i'm not making it in [and then mention the area]. maybe, GOD, i'm not making it as a parent. or, i'm not making it as a partner. or, i'm not making it as a professional. and i need YOUR help in my life. i must decrease and YOU must increase. i admit my need for YOUR power in every area of my life. not just some areas. i need YOUR power and YOUR guidance in every area of my life. today, i humble myself before YOU.
the bible says, humble yourself in the sight of the LORD. ... GOD resists the proud but gives grace to the humble ... before honor is humility. those who humble them self, GOD lifts us up and gives us power to do what HE's called us to do.
is there an area of your life you're trying to get control of and it's out of control. just say, GOD, i admit this is not working! i need YOUR help in every area of my life, including this one.
FATHER, i thank YOU for YOUR word. i look forward to this series on happiness with anticipation. this very first foundational principle of realizing we need YOU in every area of our lives. i thank YOU for all the many times YOU've never given up on me, that YOU've continued to work in my life. i pray that i would never get over the day that you saved me and never stopped being amazed that YOU've gifted and called me. i pray that each of us would sense YOUR presence in our lives today. in JESUS' name. amen.
just a prayer from the front porch…
the bible says, humble yourself in the sight of the LORD. ... GOD resists the proud but gives grace to the humble ... before honor is humility. those who humble them self, GOD lifts us up and gives us power to do what HE's called us to do.
is there an area of your life you're trying to get control of and it's out of control. just say, GOD, i admit this is not working! i need YOUR help in every area of my life, including this one.
FATHER, i thank YOU for YOUR word. i look forward to this series on happiness with anticipation. this very first foundational principle of realizing we need YOU in every area of our lives. i thank YOU for all the many times YOU've never given up on me, that YOU've continued to work in my life. i pray that i would never get over the day that you saved me and never stopped being amazed that YOU've gifted and called me. i pray that each of us would sense YOUR presence in our lives today. in JESUS' name. amen.
just a prayer from the front porch…
Saturday, September 19, 2009
do you want GOD's power in your life?
here is another thought. humility releases GOD's power in your life. james 4.6 (ms), GOD goes against the willful proud; GOD gives grace to the willing humble.
would you like to have GOD's strength in your life? the bible says that the secret of spiritual power is to walk humbly before the LORD, to realize you have to depend on HIM.
it's not because of who i am but it's because of who GOD is. i think what this principle here is stating is, the secret of strength is admitting weakness. the secret of power is admitting helplessness. the secret of happiness is humility. the secret of victory is total surrender to GOD. the secret of independence is dependence upon GOD.
matthew 5.3 (ph), happy are those who know their need for GOD, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
that means that all that GOD has to offer is available to the person who walks humbly before the LORD. all that GOD has to offer is that person's when we live in dependence before the LORD.
the fact is that everyone of you need JESUS CHRIST in your life. you need GOD's power to make it next week. if you think you don't, you've got something coming. HIS power is available. and GOD is waiting to pour out HIS power on you. but you've got to ask. and you've got to admit that you need HIS help.
if you say, "i don't need GOD in my life this next week to make it" then good luck! you'll have to solve all of your problems on your own power, your own ability, your own strength and then wonder why you're tired all of the time.
when you walk before the LORD and say, i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me, apart from HIM i can do nothing, when you have that attitude – then that power will give you supernatural power to work on those problems you can't changed and you've tried, those areas of your life you can't get control of and you've tried, those relationships that are falling apart and you can't do anything about it. that's what it means to be poor in spirit.
john 13.17 (tev), now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!
just a thought from the front porch…
would you like to have GOD's strength in your life? the bible says that the secret of spiritual power is to walk humbly before the LORD, to realize you have to depend on HIM.
it's not because of who i am but it's because of who GOD is. i think what this principle here is stating is, the secret of strength is admitting weakness. the secret of power is admitting helplessness. the secret of happiness is humility. the secret of victory is total surrender to GOD. the secret of independence is dependence upon GOD.
matthew 5.3 (ph), happy are those who know their need for GOD, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
that means that all that GOD has to offer is available to the person who walks humbly before the LORD. all that GOD has to offer is that person's when we live in dependence before the LORD.
the fact is that everyone of you need JESUS CHRIST in your life. you need GOD's power to make it next week. if you think you don't, you've got something coming. HIS power is available. and GOD is waiting to pour out HIS power on you. but you've got to ask. and you've got to admit that you need HIS help.
if you say, "i don't need GOD in my life this next week to make it" then good luck! you'll have to solve all of your problems on your own power, your own ability, your own strength and then wonder why you're tired all of the time.
when you walk before the LORD and say, i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me, apart from HIM i can do nothing, when you have that attitude – then that power will give you supernatural power to work on those problems you can't changed and you've tried, those areas of your life you can't get control of and you've tried, those relationships that are falling apart and you can't do anything about it. that's what it means to be poor in spirit.
john 13.17 (tev), now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!
just a thought from the front porch…
Friday, September 18, 2009
you can almost be immune to insults...
we are looking at the 1st step to happiness that JESUS shared in matthew 5.3 (niv) when HE said, blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
when i'm poor in spirit or humble means that you don't have to be right all the time. and it's easier for you to say those two hard words, "i'm sorry" or the three hardest words, "i was wrong" or the other three hardest words, "i need help".
i don't have to fake it and pretend i'm perfect it reduces my stress and improves my relationships because i am humble enough to ask forgiveness.
it improves my relationships.
i find that when i'm full of pride i bruise very easily. i'm very sensitive to other people's comments. when i'm pumped up, trying to impress people, and someone says something that really shouldn't bother me, it hurts. it's like sticking a pin in a balloon.
on the other hand, i've discovered, when i'm walking humbly before the LORD and just being who i am, being honest and depending upon GOD, i'm almost immune to insults. almost nothing can hurt me.
i'm walking before the LORD with the attitude they may be right, they may be wrong, but i'm just trying to please the LORD. if you find someone who is very sensitive to criticism it's because they haven't learned this 1st principle of happiness: be humble in spirit before the LORD.
just a thought from the front porch…
when i'm poor in spirit or humble means that you don't have to be right all the time. and it's easier for you to say those two hard words, "i'm sorry" or the three hardest words, "i was wrong" or the other three hardest words, "i need help".
i don't have to fake it and pretend i'm perfect it reduces my stress and improves my relationships because i am humble enough to ask forgiveness.
it improves my relationships.
i find that when i'm full of pride i bruise very easily. i'm very sensitive to other people's comments. when i'm pumped up, trying to impress people, and someone says something that really shouldn't bother me, it hurts. it's like sticking a pin in a balloon.
on the other hand, i've discovered, when i'm walking humbly before the LORD and just being who i am, being honest and depending upon GOD, i'm almost immune to insults. almost nothing can hurt me.
i'm walking before the LORD with the attitude they may be right, they may be wrong, but i'm just trying to please the LORD. if you find someone who is very sensitive to criticism it's because they haven't learned this 1st principle of happiness: be humble in spirit before the LORD.
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, September 17, 2009
self centered people hurt relationships...
we are dealing with humility and how it deals with our happiness.
let me ask you? do you love to be around people with big heads? prideful people are a pain in the ... blessed assurance! and a few other parts of the anatomy!
selfish, self centered people are an irritation. nobody likes to be around them. they wreck relationships. self centered people are never happy. never happy! and because they are unhappy they make everybody else around them unhappy. they spread all their gloom and doom simply by their egotism.
but on the other hand, how many of you like to be around humble people? those that don't think they're so hot? they aren't always trying to impress you. when you tell a story they don't always have to have a better one.
here is the point. when you are humble you get along better with other people and that makes you happy. now humility doesn't mean you think less of yourself, no. it means you just think more about others.
remember this, when you become interested in others you become interesting to others. so you have better relationships when you're a humble person.
just a thought from the front porch…
let me ask you? do you love to be around people with big heads? prideful people are a pain in the ... blessed assurance! and a few other parts of the anatomy!
selfish, self centered people are an irritation. nobody likes to be around them. they wreck relationships. self centered people are never happy. never happy! and because they are unhappy they make everybody else around them unhappy. they spread all their gloom and doom simply by their egotism.
but on the other hand, how many of you like to be around humble people? those that don't think they're so hot? they aren't always trying to impress you. when you tell a story they don't always have to have a better one.
here is the point. when you are humble you get along better with other people and that makes you happy. now humility doesn't mean you think less of yourself, no. it means you just think more about others.
remember this, when you become interested in others you become interesting to others. so you have better relationships when you're a humble person.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
the tension between the ideal and the real...
we are looking at the first attitude for happiness that JESUS shared in the beginning of HIS 1st sermon. it’s matthew 5.3 (ms), you're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of GOD and HIS rule.
that is an interesting picture isn’t it? it’s hard to imagine being happy when you’ve blown whatever you were doing and admit that you are at the end of your rope. but HE goes on to say that with less of you there is more of GOD and HIS rule. what HE is talking about is the attitude of humility, of dependence on GOD.
you might ask, humility, how can that increase my happiness?
well it reduces stress. when i'm humble i don't have to fake it or pretend that i'm perfect. it relieves so much stress to know that GOD doesn't demand that i be perfect in order to be happy. i don't have to play GOD and assume responsibility that's not mine.
when i'm humble i can live with the tension between the real and the ideal – the way i want to live my life, the way i want my career to go, the ideal for my family, my marriage, my kids and then reality, the way it really is.
and there is always a tension in life between the ideal and the real. and humility accepts the fact that you can be happy because you're depending upon GOD even though things aren't ideal. you may not have the best job and your marriage may not be perfect but you can be happy.
i'm convinced that we take ourselves way too seriously and we don't take GOD seriously enough. i think that is the crux of almost every one of our problems.
we're out there trying to impress people with who we are and because we know who we really are and who we want to be there's stress. but when i become a humble person, when i walk in dependence upon the LORD, it reduces the stress in my life. and as the stress goes down the happiness goes up.
just a thought from the front porch…
that is an interesting picture isn’t it? it’s hard to imagine being happy when you’ve blown whatever you were doing and admit that you are at the end of your rope. but HE goes on to say that with less of you there is more of GOD and HIS rule. what HE is talking about is the attitude of humility, of dependence on GOD.
you might ask, humility, how can that increase my happiness?
well it reduces stress. when i'm humble i don't have to fake it or pretend that i'm perfect. it relieves so much stress to know that GOD doesn't demand that i be perfect in order to be happy. i don't have to play GOD and assume responsibility that's not mine.
when i'm humble i can live with the tension between the real and the ideal – the way i want to live my life, the way i want my career to go, the ideal for my family, my marriage, my kids and then reality, the way it really is.
and there is always a tension in life between the ideal and the real. and humility accepts the fact that you can be happy because you're depending upon GOD even though things aren't ideal. you may not have the best job and your marriage may not be perfect but you can be happy.
i'm convinced that we take ourselves way too seriously and we don't take GOD seriously enough. i think that is the crux of almost every one of our problems.
we're out there trying to impress people with who we are and because we know who we really are and who we want to be there's stress. but when i become a humble person, when i walk in dependence upon the LORD, it reduces the stress in my life. and as the stress goes down the happiness goes up.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
it's all in the attitude...
a person’s attitude has always been very important to me. the truth is i dealt more with attitudes in my kids than actions because i felt if i took care of their attitudes the actions would fall into place. and that is what JESUS is dealing with here at the beginning of HIS sermon on the mount.
i said in an earlier post that happiness is a choice. you can choose the right attitudes. basically right now, whether you're happy or sad, or somewhere in between, you're about as happy as you choose to be.
you see life is tough. it is and there are a lot of things that don't go right and don't go your way in life. and happiness depends on choosing the right attitudes.
so let’s look at the first attitude in this list of attitudes that JESUS said that we need to choose. matthew 5.3 (ms), you're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of GOD and HIS rule.
so what is HE talking about here? well, what HE's talking about is in order for me to be happy i just admit that i don't have it all together. i just realize that i haven't arrived, that i haven't learned it all, that i’m not the sum total of the universe, that i'm not perfect. in other words, the first step to happiness is humility.
now the opposite of humility is arrogance or egotism. and JESUS said if you're full of arrogance and egotism you're never going to be happy. the good news translation of this verse says, happy are those who know they are spiritually poor. they know they don't have it all together, they know that they need GOD. living bible says, humble men are very fortunate.
so the point that JESUS is starting off with is simply, humble and happy go together. humility and happiness go together. they're twins, soul mates. and if you want to have lasting happiness then you need to learn to be humble.
just a thought from the front porch…
i said in an earlier post that happiness is a choice. you can choose the right attitudes. basically right now, whether you're happy or sad, or somewhere in between, you're about as happy as you choose to be.
you see life is tough. it is and there are a lot of things that don't go right and don't go your way in life. and happiness depends on choosing the right attitudes.
so let’s look at the first attitude in this list of attitudes that JESUS said that we need to choose. matthew 5.3 (ms), you're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of GOD and HIS rule.
so what is HE talking about here? well, what HE's talking about is in order for me to be happy i just admit that i don't have it all together. i just realize that i haven't arrived, that i haven't learned it all, that i’m not the sum total of the universe, that i'm not perfect. in other words, the first step to happiness is humility.
now the opposite of humility is arrogance or egotism. and JESUS said if you're full of arrogance and egotism you're never going to be happy. the good news translation of this verse says, happy are those who know they are spiritually poor. they know they don't have it all together, they know that they need GOD. living bible says, humble men are very fortunate.
so the point that JESUS is starting off with is simply, humble and happy go together. humility and happiness go together. they're twins, soul mates. and if you want to have lasting happiness then you need to learn to be humble.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, September 14, 2009
happiness is not around but in...
so here is how JESUS begins his first sermon, matthew 5.3-10 (nirv), *blessed are those who are spiritually needy. the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. *blessed are those who are sad. they will be comforted. *blessed are those who are free of pride. they will be given the earth. *blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. they will be filled. *blessed are those who show mercy. they will be shown mercy. *blessed are those whose hearts are pure. they will see GOD. *blessed are those who make peace. they will be called sons of GOD. *blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
now notice each of the eight beatitudes (that is what they are called) begins with the word "blessed". the word "blessed" is an old english word and it simply means "happy ".
also when you read those things, don’t they sound like contradictions? happy if you're sad... happy if you're needy ... happy if you suffer! does that sound like happiness to you?
well JESUS was saying that you can learn to be happy in spite of your circumstances. if you have to have all of your problems solved before you become happy, will you ever be happy? no. if you have to have everything perfect in your life before you're happy, will you be happy? no.
JESUS said, i want to teach you that happiness depends not on the right circumstances but it depends on the right attitudes.
and the point of these contradictions is my happiness is not determined by what's happening around me, but rather by what's happening in me. so JESUS is saying, it's not how much we have, it's what we are that makes us happy. happiness does not depend on the external, the atmosphere outside; it depends on the attitude inside. it is not determined by external circumstances; it's determined by my internal attitude. these are the be-attitudes.
just a thought from the front porch…
now notice each of the eight beatitudes (that is what they are called) begins with the word "blessed". the word "blessed" is an old english word and it simply means "happy ".
also when you read those things, don’t they sound like contradictions? happy if you're sad... happy if you're needy ... happy if you suffer! does that sound like happiness to you?
well JESUS was saying that you can learn to be happy in spite of your circumstances. if you have to have all of your problems solved before you become happy, will you ever be happy? no. if you have to have everything perfect in your life before you're happy, will you be happy? no.
JESUS said, i want to teach you that happiness depends not on the right circumstances but it depends on the right attitudes.
and the point of these contradictions is my happiness is not determined by what's happening around me, but rather by what's happening in me. so JESUS is saying, it's not how much we have, it's what we are that makes us happy. happiness does not depend on the external, the atmosphere outside; it depends on the attitude inside. it is not determined by external circumstances; it's determined by my internal attitude. these are the be-attitudes.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, September 13, 2009
everybody today is searching for happiness...
now JESUS knew HIS audience. here HE is at the beginning of HIS first major public sermon and HE deals with what all people are looking for. of all the subjects HE could have chosen to speak on when HE started HIS public ministry HE chose the subject how to be happy. why? because HE knew that was what everybody was searching for but very few people find it.
you will find today that the accepted idea of happiness is this: having the right circumstances. it's "when and then" thinking. "when i get out of school, then i'll be happy." "when i get a job, then i'll be happy." "when i get married, then i'll be happy." "when i have kids, then i'll be happy." "when the kids leave home, then i'll be happy."
solomon over in ecclesiastes 2.1 (tev) said, i decided to enjoy myself and find out what happiness is. and in the rest of chapter 2 he said, i tried it all and i found three dead ends: accumulating things, experiencing pleasures, achieving success. they were all dead ends and those are the three things we spend our life trying to get. he was the wealthiest, he had all kinds of pleasure, he was the most successful man of his time. and can you feel what he is feeling in verse 17? all of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
the accepted idea of happiness is having the right circumstances. but GOD's way to happiness is having the right attitude.
just a thought from the front porch…
you will find today that the accepted idea of happiness is this: having the right circumstances. it's "when and then" thinking. "when i get out of school, then i'll be happy." "when i get a job, then i'll be happy." "when i get married, then i'll be happy." "when i have kids, then i'll be happy." "when the kids leave home, then i'll be happy."
solomon over in ecclesiastes 2.1 (tev) said, i decided to enjoy myself and find out what happiness is. and in the rest of chapter 2 he said, i tried it all and i found three dead ends: accumulating things, experiencing pleasures, achieving success. they were all dead ends and those are the three things we spend our life trying to get. he was the wealthiest, he had all kinds of pleasure, he was the most successful man of his time. and can you feel what he is feeling in verse 17? all of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
the accepted idea of happiness is having the right circumstances. but GOD's way to happiness is having the right attitude.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, September 12, 2009
happiness - where do i start?...
how do you handle the inevitable crises of life? those crises that happen to everyone of us. i love the picture in matthew 8 of JESUS in the back of the boat when the life-threatening storm came up on HIM and his disciples. that is a great picture, everyone else was frantic, panicking but JESUS was sleeping.
now the truth is we each one can choose our response in almost every circumstance or crises of life. we can look at JESUS and see HIS confidence or look at the storms, the circumstances and panic.
there is a great portion of scripture just over a few chapters from this storm story that is a great place to look at one of these choices that we have. it is the choice to be happy or blessed in these circumstances of life. and even if you don’t realize it, happiness is a choice. it is.
now matthew the tax collector tells us in chapter 5 verse 1 (ms) that, when JESUS saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, HE climbed a hillside. those who were apprenticed to HIM, the committed, climbed with HIM. arriving at a quiet place, HE sat down and taught his climbing companions. and HE started this sermon on the mount with what we call the eight beatitudes or eight choices that we have to be happy or blessed. happy is another way to say blessed.
so that is where we are going to be for awhile here on bill’s front porch. we are going to be looking at happiness...
now the truth is we each one can choose our response in almost every circumstance or crises of life. we can look at JESUS and see HIS confidence or look at the storms, the circumstances and panic.
there is a great portion of scripture just over a few chapters from this storm story that is a great place to look at one of these choices that we have. it is the choice to be happy or blessed in these circumstances of life. and even if you don’t realize it, happiness is a choice. it is.
now matthew the tax collector tells us in chapter 5 verse 1 (ms) that, when JESUS saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, HE climbed a hillside. those who were apprenticed to HIM, the committed, climbed with HIM. arriving at a quiet place, HE sat down and taught his climbing companions. and HE started this sermon on the mount with what we call the eight beatitudes or eight choices that we have to be happy or blessed. happy is another way to say blessed.
so that is where we are going to be for awhile here on bill’s front porch. we are going to be looking at happiness...
Friday, September 11, 2009
9/11...
i’m not sure when you are reading this but i am writing this on 9/11. now back in 2001 when those planes hit the twin towers in the wall street area of new york city i was living over 2,000 miles away in las vegas, nevada but i live now on long island, new york next to people who were affected in so many different ways by the crisis of that day.
i was sitting yesterday waiting to get an haircut and the man in the barber’s chair at the time was a fireman and i heard him tell the barber that he would be going into the city today to a memorial mass for 9/11. i live now in an area that had many people die on that day.
crisis. so many people today are affected by something else that has happened on wall street. in some areas one out of five people are losing their homes because of the crisis on wall street. of course losing a home or a job isn’t losing your life but it is also a crisis.
so how does one face an unexpected crisis? well there are two options when you have a crisis.
matthew 8.23-25 (ms), then HE got in the boat, his disciples with HIM. the next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. waves were crashing into the boat—and HE was sound asleep! they roused him, pleading, "MASTER, save us! we're going down!" you can be filled with panic like the disciples or you can be filled with peace like JESUS.
this shows how serious the reaction was and how serious the storm was. these disciples were not novices. they were professional fishermen. they grew up on this lake. if they thought they were going to die, this must have been a life-threatening storm because these guys were pros and the pros panicked. that's how serious it was.
compare that to JESUS' reaction to the story. HE was filled with peace. it says a severe storm. waves were crashing into the boat—and HE was sound asleep! you talk about a heavy sleeper! these guys are professionals but the water's pouring in and JESUS is sawing logs! HE was sound asleep!
just a thought from the front porch…
i was sitting yesterday waiting to get an haircut and the man in the barber’s chair at the time was a fireman and i heard him tell the barber that he would be going into the city today to a memorial mass for 9/11. i live now in an area that had many people die on that day.
crisis. so many people today are affected by something else that has happened on wall street. in some areas one out of five people are losing their homes because of the crisis on wall street. of course losing a home or a job isn’t losing your life but it is also a crisis.
so how does one face an unexpected crisis? well there are two options when you have a crisis.
matthew 8.23-25 (ms), then HE got in the boat, his disciples with HIM. the next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. waves were crashing into the boat—and HE was sound asleep! they roused him, pleading, "MASTER, save us! we're going down!" you can be filled with panic like the disciples or you can be filled with peace like JESUS.
this shows how serious the reaction was and how serious the storm was. these disciples were not novices. they were professional fishermen. they grew up on this lake. if they thought they were going to die, this must have been a life-threatening storm because these guys were pros and the pros panicked. that's how serious it was.
compare that to JESUS' reaction to the story. HE was filled with peace. it says a severe storm. waves were crashing into the boat—and HE was sound asleep! you talk about a heavy sleeper! these guys are professionals but the water's pouring in and JESUS is sawing logs! HE was sound asleep!
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, September 10, 2009
it's the willingness that counts...
what is the spirit of CHRISTmas? it's giving. GOD gave. the wise men gave. we give. how do
you maintain the spirit of CHRISTmas the year around? become a giver. become a generous
person, helping those in need. see a need, find a need, fill it. find a hurt, heal it. share with those
around you. in a giving contest guess who wins? you can't out give GOD.
it's not by accident that the book of philippians has two major themes: joy and giving. they go
together. the happiest people are the most generous people. the most miserable people are
those who are stingy.
2 corinthians 8 is what paul said about the philippians to another group. he compares one church to another church. verses 1-9 (ms) 12 (niv), now, friends, i want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which GOD is working in the churches in macedonia (philippi) province. fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. the trial exposed their true colors: they were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. the pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. i was there and saw it for myself. they gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor CHRISTians. this was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. what explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to GOD and to us. the other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of GOD working in their lives. that's what prompted us to ask titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. you do so well in so many things—you trust GOD, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. i'm not trying to order you around against your will. but by bringing in the macedonians' enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, i am hoping to bring the best out of you. you are familiar with the generosity of our MASTER, JESUS CHRIST. rich as HE was, HE gave it all away for us—in one stroke HE became poor and we became rich... for if the willingness is there then the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one does not have.
giving is a matter of willingness, not wealth. GOD couldn't care less about the amount that you
give. what HE cares about is the attitude of giving. it's the willingness not the wealth. some of you haven't learned the joy of giving yet. you give but you don't get any joy out of it. it is fun to give, because you know that you cannot out give GOD. HE more than blesses us back. i challenge you to practically discover the power and principles of this promise. become a faithful, generous person with everybody and watch what GOD does in your life. this applies to churches as well as persons. the church that gives itself away and is interested in others (missions) GOD takes care of their needs.
just a thought from the front porch…
you maintain the spirit of CHRISTmas the year around? become a giver. become a generous
person, helping those in need. see a need, find a need, fill it. find a hurt, heal it. share with those
around you. in a giving contest guess who wins? you can't out give GOD.
it's not by accident that the book of philippians has two major themes: joy and giving. they go
together. the happiest people are the most generous people. the most miserable people are
those who are stingy.
2 corinthians 8 is what paul said about the philippians to another group. he compares one church to another church. verses 1-9 (ms) 12 (niv), now, friends, i want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which GOD is working in the churches in macedonia (philippi) province. fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. the trial exposed their true colors: they were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. the pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. i was there and saw it for myself. they gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor CHRISTians. this was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. what explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to GOD and to us. the other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of GOD working in their lives. that's what prompted us to ask titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. you do so well in so many things—you trust GOD, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. i'm not trying to order you around against your will. but by bringing in the macedonians' enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, i am hoping to bring the best out of you. you are familiar with the generosity of our MASTER, JESUS CHRIST. rich as HE was, HE gave it all away for us—in one stroke HE became poor and we became rich... for if the willingness is there then the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one does not have.
giving is a matter of willingness, not wealth. GOD couldn't care less about the amount that you
give. what HE cares about is the attitude of giving. it's the willingness not the wealth. some of you haven't learned the joy of giving yet. you give but you don't get any joy out of it. it is fun to give, because you know that you cannot out give GOD. HE more than blesses us back. i challenge you to practically discover the power and principles of this promise. become a faithful, generous person with everybody and watch what GOD does in your life. this applies to churches as well as persons. the church that gives itself away and is interested in others (missions) GOD takes care of their needs.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
it guarantees GOD's provision...
a parallel passage with philippians 4.19 that says the same exact thing is 2 corinthians 9.6-8. it has the premise and the promise. this is taught all through the new testament. (ms) remember: a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. i want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. that will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. GOD loves it when the giver delights in the giving. this is the premise part.
then the promise: GOD can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
if you will let the truth of this passage really grasp you – if you really grab a hold of it – it will revolutionize your life. the principle is this: if you become a giver, GOD will take care of your needs. that is taught all through the scripture. giving guarantees GOD's provision. i have absolutely no worries about the future in terms of financial need. GOD will meet the promise because i am meeting the premise. i have done what GOD has said about giving.
just a thought from the front porch…
then the promise: GOD can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
if you will let the truth of this passage really grasp you – if you really grab a hold of it – it will revolutionize your life. the principle is this: if you become a giver, GOD will take care of your needs. that is taught all through the scripture. giving guarantees GOD's provision. i have absolutely no worries about the future in terms of financial need. GOD will meet the promise because i am meeting the premise. i have done what GOD has said about giving.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
will there be enough?...
philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in CHRIST JESUS.
what about HIS supply? will there be enough? well it’s according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
you don’t have to worry. GOD's bank will never go bankrupt. HE has unlimited resources. HE has an inexhaustible supply as exhibited in many of his miracles.
now notice there's a big difference between "according" and "out of". here is what I mean. bill gates, one of the wealthiest men in america is a billionaire. now if he wrote you a check for $1,000 that would be giving to you out of his riches. if he gave you a blank check and said whatever you need that would be giving according to his riches.
and GOD gives you a blank check. philippians 4.19 is the blank check for the faithful believer. a blank check is worthless if it doesn't have a signature on it. but this check is signed with the name JESUS CHRIST. and HIS check never bounces.
just a thought from the front porch…
what about HIS supply? will there be enough? well it’s according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
you don’t have to worry. GOD's bank will never go bankrupt. HE has unlimited resources. HE has an inexhaustible supply as exhibited in many of his miracles.
now notice there's a big difference between "according" and "out of". here is what I mean. bill gates, one of the wealthiest men in america is a billionaire. now if he wrote you a check for $1,000 that would be giving to you out of his riches. if he gave you a blank check and said whatever you need that would be giving according to his riches.
and GOD gives you a blank check. philippians 4.19 is the blank check for the faithful believer. a blank check is worthless if it doesn't have a signature on it. but this check is signed with the name JESUS CHRIST. and HIS check never bounces.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, September 7, 2009
what needs will GOD supply?...
philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in CHRIST JESUS.
now it is important to see that this verse doesn't include the consequences of laziness. GOD doesn't say you go out and waste your money on luxuries then when you don't have enough money to pay for your needs, i'll supply them. GOD hasn't agreed to do that. HE doesn't bankroll foolishness. if i blow all my money in some area and my needs aren't being met and i say, GOD, your promise isn't true! that's not GOD's fault. HE's not promised to bankroll foolishness.
what has GOD promised? what is covered in this verse? well, what is covered in this verse is all legitimate needs. and that covers a lot of material.
do you have a financial need? if you're a faithful giver you have every right to ask GOD to meet your financial needs. if you're not a faithful giver you have no right, because you're not meeting the premise. how about physical needs, health needs, relational needs, emotional needs, any kind of needs? GOD promises to meet all your needs.
if that's true what does that leave for me to worry about? nothing. GOD says "I assume responsibility for my children's needs to be met." if you're a child of GOD and you're meeting the premise you can count on it.
just a thought from the front porch..
now it is important to see that this verse doesn't include the consequences of laziness. GOD doesn't say you go out and waste your money on luxuries then when you don't have enough money to pay for your needs, i'll supply them. GOD hasn't agreed to do that. HE doesn't bankroll foolishness. if i blow all my money in some area and my needs aren't being met and i say, GOD, your promise isn't true! that's not GOD's fault. HE's not promised to bankroll foolishness.
what has GOD promised? what is covered in this verse? well, what is covered in this verse is all legitimate needs. and that covers a lot of material.
do you have a financial need? if you're a faithful giver you have every right to ask GOD to meet your financial needs. if you're not a faithful giver you have no right, because you're not meeting the premise. how about physical needs, health needs, relational needs, emotional needs, any kind of needs? GOD promises to meet all your needs.
if that's true what does that leave for me to worry about? nothing. GOD says "I assume responsibility for my children's needs to be met." if you're a child of GOD and you're meeting the premise you can count on it.
just a thought from the front porch..
Saturday, September 5, 2009
do you think that GOD wants us to be rich?
philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs.
that is so great that GOD will supply all your needs if you are a consistent, generous giver but you do see that paul says all your needs but not all your wants. and there's a big difference between needs and wants.
in 1890 a sociologist took a study and asked americans what they thought were the basic needs of life, the bare minimum necessities in order to survive. in 1890 the study revealed that americans thought there was 16 basic things every one needed in order to survive. the survey was taken less than 100 years later. and they found that americans think they have to have 98 things in order to survive. our wants have a way of being exaggerated into needs.
james 4.3 (nlt), when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. selfishness. GOD has not guaranteed to provide you with all your luxuries.
there are two false ideas about money: one, that GOD wants everybody to be a millionaire. the other, that GOD wants everybody to be poor. they're both wrong. GOD is interested in you having your needs met. our needs though have a way of getting exaggerated. we watch advertisements that say "you need this product." the bible does not say, my GOD shall supply all your greeds. but GOD will supply your needs.
just a thought from the front porch…
that is so great that GOD will supply all your needs if you are a consistent, generous giver but you do see that paul says all your needs but not all your wants. and there's a big difference between needs and wants.
in 1890 a sociologist took a study and asked americans what they thought were the basic needs of life, the bare minimum necessities in order to survive. in 1890 the study revealed that americans thought there was 16 basic things every one needed in order to survive. the survey was taken less than 100 years later. and they found that americans think they have to have 98 things in order to survive. our wants have a way of being exaggerated into needs.
james 4.3 (nlt), when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. selfishness. GOD has not guaranteed to provide you with all your luxuries.
there are two false ideas about money: one, that GOD wants everybody to be a millionaire. the other, that GOD wants everybody to be poor. they're both wrong. GOD is interested in you having your needs met. our needs though have a way of getting exaggerated. we watch advertisements that say "you need this product." the bible does not say, my GOD shall supply all your greeds. but GOD will supply your needs.
just a thought from the front porch…
no work - no eat...
the promise: philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs...
who is the source? and my GOD.
and what will HE do? will meet all your needs. this includes everything. it doesn't say that GOD
might meet your needs, but will meet your needs. it's a guarantee. if you met the premise, count
on the promise. if you are a consistent, generous giver you can count on the promise. GOD is
going to take care of your needs.
now one thing it doesn't include is the consequences of laziness. this is not an invitation to
goof off. GOD expects you to work. this is not an invitation to set around with folded hands
and say, "i'm just trusting the LORD to provide." that isn't contentment, it's complacency.
there's a big difference. HE has not promised to meet your needs if you set around and do
nothing.
2 thessalonians 3:10 (ms), and now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. this must not be tolerated. we command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. people who are unwilling (not unable) to work should not be given handouts.
in other words, no work - no eat. this doesn't mean i can be lazy.
just a thought from the front porch
who is the source? and my GOD.
and what will HE do? will meet all your needs. this includes everything. it doesn't say that GOD
might meet your needs, but will meet your needs. it's a guarantee. if you met the premise, count
on the promise. if you are a consistent, generous giver you can count on the promise. GOD is
going to take care of your needs.
now one thing it doesn't include is the consequences of laziness. this is not an invitation to
goof off. GOD expects you to work. this is not an invitation to set around with folded hands
and say, "i'm just trusting the LORD to provide." that isn't contentment, it's complacency.
there's a big difference. HE has not promised to meet your needs if you set around and do
nothing.
2 thessalonians 3:10 (ms), and now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. this must not be tolerated. we command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. people who are unwilling (not unable) to work should not be given handouts.
in other words, no work - no eat. this doesn't mean i can be lazy.
just a thought from the front porch
Friday, September 4, 2009
who is the source of meeting my needs?..
anytime you have a spirit of generosity, the spirit of giving, it is an encouragement to others. it is an investment in eternity and it is a sacrifice pleasing to GOD. that's why paul said it's so important to become a giver.
there are only two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. the happy people are the giving people. philippians is about joy and giving -- the two main themes go together. misers are miserable.
that's the premise. the premise comes before the promise. you can't claim verse 19 unless you're doing verse 18. i must first be generous to others. CHRIST said, give to others and GOD will give to you. be generous to others and GOD will be generous with you. when you meet the premise of being generous with others then you can claim the promise of verse 19.
the promise: philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in CHRIST JESUS.
this is the believer's insurance policy. it tells you what warranty GOD has guaranteed to care for in your life.
now who is the source? and my GOD will. GOD is not a force; HE's a person, a personal GOD. JESUS said when you pray, pray like this, our FATHER – HE is a heavenly FATHER – intimate. as a result HE's very aware of all your needs you have – financial, mental, physical, health, relational. and HE's a caring, consistent, capable FATHER. our heavenly FATHER assumes responsibility for HIS children's needs. HE does it in a perfect way. HE is the source
just a thought from the front porch…
there are only two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. the happy people are the giving people. philippians is about joy and giving -- the two main themes go together. misers are miserable.
that's the premise. the premise comes before the promise. you can't claim verse 19 unless you're doing verse 18. i must first be generous to others. CHRIST said, give to others and GOD will give to you. be generous to others and GOD will be generous with you. when you meet the premise of being generous with others then you can claim the promise of verse 19.
the promise: philippians 4.19 (niv), and my GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS glorious riches in CHRIST JESUS.
this is the believer's insurance policy. it tells you what warranty GOD has guaranteed to care for in your life.
now who is the source? and my GOD will. GOD is not a force; HE's a person, a personal GOD. JESUS said when you pray, pray like this, our FATHER – HE is a heavenly FATHER – intimate. as a result HE's very aware of all your needs you have – financial, mental, physical, health, relational. and HE's a caring, consistent, capable FATHER. our heavenly FATHER assumes responsibility for HIS children's needs. HE does it in a perfect way. HE is the source
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, September 3, 2009
it's a gift to HIM....
philippians 4.18 (ms), and now i have it all—and keep getting more! the gifts you sent with epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing GOD no end.
the most pleasing thing you can do for GOD is sacrificial giving. it is done in faith and without faith it is impossible to please GOD. JESUS CHRIST was a total sacrificial giver. when you are most like CHRIST, you are sacrificial in your giving, generous, sharing. and it pleases GOD.
it says it's a sweet-smelling sacrifice. this refers back to leviticus 7 which talks about a thank offering. in the old testament they would lay an offering on the altar, pour it out and it would create steam that the whole community could smell. a sacrificial giver is a beautiful person, you love to be around them. giving is an act of worship. that's why it's a part of the worship service. it's just as important as singing, praying or teaching. paul says the gift the philippians sent to him is a sweet-smelling sacrifice, an acceptable sacrifice to GOD.
and it is a gift to GOD. how could you say that? because JESUS said it. i'm telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me. matthew 25.40 (ms)
it's just like doing it to GOD. every act of generosity in your life can be done as a sacrifice to GOD. anytime you have a spirit of generosity, the spirit of giving, it is an encouragement to others. it is an investment in eternity and it is a sacrifice pleasing to GOD. that's why paul said it's so important to become a giver.
just a thought from the front porch…
the most pleasing thing you can do for GOD is sacrificial giving. it is done in faith and without faith it is impossible to please GOD. JESUS CHRIST was a total sacrificial giver. when you are most like CHRIST, you are sacrificial in your giving, generous, sharing. and it pleases GOD.
it says it's a sweet-smelling sacrifice. this refers back to leviticus 7 which talks about a thank offering. in the old testament they would lay an offering on the altar, pour it out and it would create steam that the whole community could smell. a sacrificial giver is a beautiful person, you love to be around them. giving is an act of worship. that's why it's a part of the worship service. it's just as important as singing, praying or teaching. paul says the gift the philippians sent to him is a sweet-smelling sacrifice, an acceptable sacrifice to GOD.
and it is a gift to GOD. how could you say that? because JESUS said it. i'm telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me. matthew 25.40 (ms)
it's just like doing it to GOD. every act of generosity in your life can be done as a sacrifice to GOD. anytime you have a spirit of generosity, the spirit of giving, it is an encouragement to others. it is an investment in eternity and it is a sacrifice pleasing to GOD. that's why paul said it's so important to become a giver.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
it is an investment...
look at this verse, philippians 4.17 (ms), not that i'm looking for handouts, but i do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity. giving benefits the giver as well as the receiver. you're going to experience a blessing. in the greek it means "accumulated interest".
GOD pays interest. JESUS said 100 fold will be returned to him who gives up for the gospel. one
hundred fold is 10,000% interest. paul says i want you to receive the reward for your giving. today’s english version, i want to see profit added to your account.
you have an account in heaven. GOD is recording anything and everything that you do. every time you give something is recorded in heaven. a cup of cold water given in JESUS' name is written down. every time you're generous with your family, church, friends, unbelievers – anytime you give it is recorded and rewarded. it is an investment and the bank of heaven pays interest. but you don't get the interest if you don't make the investment. store up treasure in heaven by giving, by investing in heaven. invest in people who are going there.
1 timothy 6.18-19 (lb), give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever
GOD has given you. by doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! GOD's bank never goes bankrupt. you're going to spend more time on that side of eternity than on this side.
just a thought from the front porch…
GOD pays interest. JESUS said 100 fold will be returned to him who gives up for the gospel. one
hundred fold is 10,000% interest. paul says i want you to receive the reward for your giving. today’s english version, i want to see profit added to your account.
you have an account in heaven. GOD is recording anything and everything that you do. every time you give something is recorded in heaven. a cup of cold water given in JESUS' name is written down. every time you're generous with your family, church, friends, unbelievers – anytime you give it is recorded and rewarded. it is an investment and the bank of heaven pays interest. but you don't get the interest if you don't make the investment. store up treasure in heaven by giving, by investing in heaven. invest in people who are going there.
1 timothy 6.18-19 (lb), give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever
GOD has given you. by doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! GOD's bank never goes bankrupt. you're going to spend more time on that side of eternity than on this side.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
it encourages others...
philippians 4.14-16 (ms), it was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. you philippians well know, that when i first left macedonia province, venturing out with the message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. you were the only one. even while i was in thessalonica, you helped out—and not only once, but twice.
the philippian church was not a wealthy church. just the opposite. it was a poverty stricken
church. yet they were big hearted, generous, giving. paul said their gift encouraged him. giving
is an encouragement. both the giver and the givee receives a blessing, an encouragement.
some results of giving:
- it gives us a wider ministry than we would normally have. in philippians 1 paul says they are partners in ministry. they were supporting him financially. whatever you support you're partners with. not all of us can go to the mission field, preach, teach. but whenever i give we become partners in ministry. giving allows me to be involved in somebody else's
ministry.
- giving makes us like CHRIST. the most CHRISTlike thing you can do is give. because JESUS was a giver. HE was sacrificial. the philippians had a reputation for generosity. 2 corinthians 8, paul calls them an example for the rest of the world. they gave out of their extreme poverty. they gave more than they could give. the church had such a reputation for giving that 2000 years later we still know about them.
giving can be an encouragement to others.
just a thought from the front porch…
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