peace in the midst of the hectic pace of life cannot happen unless you open your life to CHRIST and invite HIS peace in. many of you have made that decision at some point in your life. so my question to you is, what do you want to be remembered for? what do you want people to write on your tombstone? peacemaker? or troublemaker? what do you have a reputation for at work, peacemaker or troublemaker?
st. francis of assisi used to pray "LORD, make me an instrument of THY peace." that's a great prayer to pray. wherever there is hostilities, let me bring peace. let me do the thing that is the most CHRIST like thing i could do, bring people together. bring harmony where there is disharmony, restitution where there is conflict.
every time you go out and win somebody to CHRIST, every time you tell somebody about the LORD you're being a peacemaker. every time you tell that friend next door or somebody at work, "JESUS loves you and HE wants to make a difference in your life and HE has a purpose for you and HE wants to forgive every sin you've ever done wrong and give you a real meaningful life" and you introduce them to CHRIST, you're being a peacemaker.
happy are the peacemakers. why? first, they're at peace with themselves. second, they will be rewarded for it by GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
do you have the peace of GOD?...
colossians 3.15 (niv), let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts. look at the word rule.
the word in greek is the same word as we get the word "umpire". that means somebody who calls the shots, who keeps you in boundaries, a referee, somebody who keeps the game going and keeps it in focus.
he's saying, "let the peace of GOD umpire your heart." when you have peace with GOD then you get the peace of GOD. and when you have the peace of GOD then you can have peace with other people. that's the order. you let the peace of GOD rule in your heart.
now this is the missing peace that a lot of you are missing in your life. you say, "i tried a lot of stuff to find peace of mind. i tried making it, the acquisition trip, and got all the things, but i still was unhappy. i tried fame, sex, drugs, going to disney world – all the different things but still don't have peace." the missing peace is CHRIST. HE created a GOD shaped vacuum in your life. and only HE can fill that vacuum.
i meet a lot of people who think they have peace with GOD, but really all they have is a cease-fire. they have a truce. and there's a big difference.
they say, "GOD, you stay on your side of the fence and i'll stay on my side of the fence and never the twain shall meet. you stay up there in heaven and do the thing with the angels and let me run my own life. if YOU won't bother me i won't bother YOU."
that's no peace with GOD, folks. that's a truce. and it's not going to last.
the bible says that until you invite CHRIST into your life and let HIM fill you with HIS peace you're at war with GOD. because you want to do your own thing, be your own boss, call your own shots.
GOD says, "how can we ever be at peace if you're totally ignoring the purpose for which I made you?" you're not here by accident; GOD made you for a purpose. peace comes when you find your niche in life, when you find your purpose, when you meet GOD and you have a relationship. i'm not talking about religion, i'm talking about relationship. then, when you have that peace in your heart, you can be at peace with others.
just a thought from the front porch…
the word in greek is the same word as we get the word "umpire". that means somebody who calls the shots, who keeps you in boundaries, a referee, somebody who keeps the game going and keeps it in focus.
he's saying, "let the peace of GOD umpire your heart." when you have peace with GOD then you get the peace of GOD. and when you have the peace of GOD then you can have peace with other people. that's the order. you let the peace of GOD rule in your heart.
now this is the missing peace that a lot of you are missing in your life. you say, "i tried a lot of stuff to find peace of mind. i tried making it, the acquisition trip, and got all the things, but i still was unhappy. i tried fame, sex, drugs, going to disney world – all the different things but still don't have peace." the missing peace is CHRIST. HE created a GOD shaped vacuum in your life. and only HE can fill that vacuum.
i meet a lot of people who think they have peace with GOD, but really all they have is a cease-fire. they have a truce. and there's a big difference.
they say, "GOD, you stay on your side of the fence and i'll stay on my side of the fence and never the twain shall meet. you stay up there in heaven and do the thing with the angels and let me run my own life. if YOU won't bother me i won't bother YOU."
that's no peace with GOD, folks. that's a truce. and it's not going to last.
the bible says that until you invite CHRIST into your life and let HIM fill you with HIS peace you're at war with GOD. because you want to do your own thing, be your own boss, call your own shots.
GOD says, "how can we ever be at peace if you're totally ignoring the purpose for which I made you?" you're not here by accident; GOD made you for a purpose. peace comes when you find your niche in life, when you find your purpose, when you meet GOD and you have a relationship. i'm not talking about religion, i'm talking about relationship. then, when you have that peace in your heart, you can be at peace with others.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, November 28, 2009
who are you looking to to meet your needs?...
who can be a peacemaker? you can. anybody can become a peacemaker. but first you must have peace on the inside of you. you can't spread peace if you're at war on the inside. only what you have can you offer to others.
i used to watch those peace rallies in the 60’s and i never saw such a group of angry people. it is no wonder that they didn't have much of an effect. you can't bring peace if you don't got it! if you don't have peace in your heart you certainly can't offer it to anybody else.
you're looking to other people to meet your needs instead of GOD. when you do that you're asking for trouble. when i'm expecting everybody else to meet my needs and they don't then i get ticked off and we have conflict.
GOD says I never intended for you to have all of your needs met by another person. there are some of those SPIRITual, emotional needs that only GOD can meet. when you look to GOD and you have peace with GOD then your relationships can get better.
the reason why some of you have rotten relationships is because you have a war going on inside. you're asking other people to meet needs that they never will be able to meet – the deepest needs of your heart.
what do you do? how do i find the missing peace? where is the missing peace in my life? it's the peace of GOD. how do you get it? you meet JESUS CHRIST. you invite HIM into your life. HE's called the prince of peace. JESUS said, MY peace I give to you, not as the world gives, but MY peace.
it's peace that can't be taken away. it's not based on circumstances, whether there's a traffic jam on the freeway or not. it's inner peace, peace that you can have in the midst of chaos, when everything's falling apart – you can still be at peace. that's the kind of peace that GOD wants to give you. when you have that in your life, then you can become a peacemaker.
just a thought from the front porch…
i used to watch those peace rallies in the 60’s and i never saw such a group of angry people. it is no wonder that they didn't have much of an effect. you can't bring peace if you don't got it! if you don't have peace in your heart you certainly can't offer it to anybody else.
you're looking to other people to meet your needs instead of GOD. when you do that you're asking for trouble. when i'm expecting everybody else to meet my needs and they don't then i get ticked off and we have conflict.
GOD says I never intended for you to have all of your needs met by another person. there are some of those SPIRITual, emotional needs that only GOD can meet. when you look to GOD and you have peace with GOD then your relationships can get better.
the reason why some of you have rotten relationships is because you have a war going on inside. you're asking other people to meet needs that they never will be able to meet – the deepest needs of your heart.
what do you do? how do i find the missing peace? where is the missing peace in my life? it's the peace of GOD. how do you get it? you meet JESUS CHRIST. you invite HIM into your life. HE's called the prince of peace. JESUS said, MY peace I give to you, not as the world gives, but MY peace.
it's peace that can't be taken away. it's not based on circumstances, whether there's a traffic jam on the freeway or not. it's inner peace, peace that you can have in the midst of chaos, when everything's falling apart – you can still be at peace. that's the kind of peace that GOD wants to give you. when you have that in your life, then you can become a peacemaker.
just a thought from the front porch…
Friday, November 27, 2009
GOD models what HE wants us to do...
2 corinthians 5.18 (niv), GOD reconciled us to himself through CHRIST and gives us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 words, reconciled and reconciliation.
GOD models what HE wants you to do. the synonym for peacemaker is reconcilor – one who brings people together.
GOD sent JESUS CHRIST to bring us to HIM so we could have peace with GOD. GOD is the original peacemaker. JESUS is the prince of peace. what HE has modeled HE now wants us to do with other people.
when you help restore relationships you're doing what GOD would do. when you help bring people together who have been estranged that's the most CHRIST like thing you could do, the ministry of reconciliation.
when GOD looks down on you and you're taking the initiative to restore harmony in that marriage or harmony in that office or with that parent or child or estranged relative – when you're doing that GOD looks down on you, "that's my girl!" or "that's my boy!" that person is a child of GOD.
matthew 5.9 (ncv), those who work to bring peace are happy, because GOD will call them his children. GOD says, "they are doing exactly what I would do if I were in that situation. I would be trying to bring harmony where there is disharmony. I would be trying to bring unity where there is conflict." GOD has given us that ministry of reconciliation, of peacemaking.
just a thought from the front porch…
GOD models what HE wants you to do. the synonym for peacemaker is reconcilor – one who brings people together.
GOD sent JESUS CHRIST to bring us to HIM so we could have peace with GOD. GOD is the original peacemaker. JESUS is the prince of peace. what HE has modeled HE now wants us to do with other people.
when you help restore relationships you're doing what GOD would do. when you help bring people together who have been estranged that's the most CHRIST like thing you could do, the ministry of reconciliation.
when GOD looks down on you and you're taking the initiative to restore harmony in that marriage or harmony in that office or with that parent or child or estranged relative – when you're doing that GOD looks down on you, "that's my girl!" or "that's my boy!" that person is a child of GOD.
matthew 5.9 (ncv), those who work to bring peace are happy, because GOD will call them his children. GOD says, "they are doing exactly what I would do if I were in that situation. I would be trying to bring harmony where there is disharmony. I would be trying to bring unity where there is conflict." GOD has given us that ministry of reconciliation, of peacemaking.
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, November 26, 2009
the relationship not the problem is the priority...
another key in a get together meeting to bring peace out of conflict is you emphasize reconciliation not resolution.
now reconcile means to reestablish a relationship. it does not mean you resolve all the problems.
a lot of times there are some legitimate, honest differences between husbands and wives, employees and bosses, men and women.
there are major differences between men and women. we think differently.
the average man speaks 15,000 words a day. the average woman speaks 27,000 words a day. when you say, my husband just won't listen to me, you have to realize he doesn't have the brain with the capacity to hold that much! our little brains can only handle about 15,000 words a day. you've got a 12,000 word excess that's going to fly right over his head. women are more verbal, it's a fact of life.
there are honest differences and many times you're not going to resolve those. reconciliation means you bury the hatchet, not the issue. you keep talking about it but you talk about it in harmony. you can disagree, agreeably. you can walk arm in arm together without seeing eye to eye. you can have reconciliation without having resolution of every problem.
reconciliation focuses on the relationship. resolution focuses on the issue, the problem.
when you focus on a, b often becomes insignificant. when you focus on a, reconciliation – "we're married, let's be on the same team. why are we fighting each other? we're supposed to be on the same team. we have a major disagreement on how to raise the kids, or how to spend the money, or how to have sex – that's the issue." – first, focus on reconciliation of the relationship and often, when you do that then (a) this starts to resolve itself out, or (b) it becomes immaterial, or (c) at least now you've got two people working in the same direction to resolve it. you focus on emphasizing reconciliation not resolution. i hoped that made sense.
just a thought from the front porch…
now reconcile means to reestablish a relationship. it does not mean you resolve all the problems.
a lot of times there are some legitimate, honest differences between husbands and wives, employees and bosses, men and women.
there are major differences between men and women. we think differently.
the average man speaks 15,000 words a day. the average woman speaks 27,000 words a day. when you say, my husband just won't listen to me, you have to realize he doesn't have the brain with the capacity to hold that much! our little brains can only handle about 15,000 words a day. you've got a 12,000 word excess that's going to fly right over his head. women are more verbal, it's a fact of life.
there are honest differences and many times you're not going to resolve those. reconciliation means you bury the hatchet, not the issue. you keep talking about it but you talk about it in harmony. you can disagree, agreeably. you can walk arm in arm together without seeing eye to eye. you can have reconciliation without having resolution of every problem.
reconciliation focuses on the relationship. resolution focuses on the issue, the problem.
when you focus on a, b often becomes insignificant. when you focus on a, reconciliation – "we're married, let's be on the same team. why are we fighting each other? we're supposed to be on the same team. we have a major disagreement on how to raise the kids, or how to spend the money, or how to have sex – that's the issue." – first, focus on reconciliation of the relationship and often, when you do that then (a) this starts to resolve itself out, or (b) it becomes immaterial, or (c) at least now you've got two people working in the same direction to resolve it. you focus on emphasizing reconciliation not resolution. i hoped that made sense.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
what seeds am i planting?...
james 3.18 (lb), peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
whatever you sow is what you're going to reap. if you want people to cooperate with you, you have to cooperate. if you want people to be nice to you, you've got to be nice to them. if you want people to compromise with you, you've got to compromise with them.
whatever you're dishing out is what you're getting back. if you've got conflict in your family, somehow you're dishing some of it out. it takes two for conflict. so you look and say, "what can i do? what seeds am i planting?"
if you are always planting seeds of griping, complaining, arguing, hassling, and putting down your mate guess what you're going to reap. conflict. whatever seeds you're planting in your marriage is what you're going to grow. start planting seeds of peace and compromise. empathize with their feelings and take the initiative, don't wait for them. go to them first.
matthew 5 and mark 11 – one of them says when somebody offends you, go to them, the other says when you offend them you go to them. either way you take the initiative. if you want to be a peacemaker that's what it means to be like GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
whatever you sow is what you're going to reap. if you want people to cooperate with you, you have to cooperate. if you want people to be nice to you, you've got to be nice to them. if you want people to compromise with you, you've got to compromise with them.
whatever you're dishing out is what you're getting back. if you've got conflict in your family, somehow you're dishing some of it out. it takes two for conflict. so you look and say, "what can i do? what seeds am i planting?"
if you are always planting seeds of griping, complaining, arguing, hassling, and putting down your mate guess what you're going to reap. conflict. whatever seeds you're planting in your marriage is what you're going to grow. start planting seeds of peace and compromise. empathize with their feelings and take the initiative, don't wait for them. go to them first.
matthew 5 and mark 11 – one of them says when somebody offends you, go to them, the other says when you offend them you go to them. either way you take the initiative. if you want to be a peacemaker that's what it means to be like GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
cooperation is a key in making peace...
another thing to be done at bringing peace in a conflict is to cooperate as much as possible with the other person.
be a bridge builder and not a bridge tear-er down-er. go with the spirit of compromise – what can we agree on? what can we do together?
romans 12.18 (tev), do everything possible on your part, to live at peace with everybody.
the trademark of a CHRISTian ought to be your ability to get along with other people. it's not how much you pray, read the bible, sing, give. but, do you get along with other people? that's the mark of a CHRISTian. JESUS said, by this shall all men know that you're my disciples, that you have love for one another.
a key phrase, on your part. there are some people you can't get along with. you are just not going to get along with them. they are irregular people. what it says is, do everything possible.
peace always has a price. if you want peace in your home, your marriage, there's always a price. it costs your ego. it costs your self-centeredness, your selfishness. you've got to be willing to give in. maybe my wife is right. maybe my husband does have a point. maybe my kid has a legitimate gripe. maybe my parents do know what they're talking about. you've got to give up your pride, your ego. that's the cost for the price of peace.
the three most difficult words in the english language are "i was wrong." that's compromise, cooperation. the two most difficult words are "i'm sorry". the five: "i'm sorry. i was wrong." seven: "i'm sorry. i was wrong, a lot." you get the point.
eric seagle's book made into a movie love story – "love means never having to say you're sorry." he was dead wrong! love means saying you're sorry, over and over. in relationships you get hurt and you hurt other people. accidentally, intentionally, you just do it.
just a thought from the front porch…
be a bridge builder and not a bridge tear-er down-er. go with the spirit of compromise – what can we agree on? what can we do together?
romans 12.18 (tev), do everything possible on your part, to live at peace with everybody.
the trademark of a CHRISTian ought to be your ability to get along with other people. it's not how much you pray, read the bible, sing, give. but, do you get along with other people? that's the mark of a CHRISTian. JESUS said, by this shall all men know that you're my disciples, that you have love for one another.
a key phrase, on your part. there are some people you can't get along with. you are just not going to get along with them. they are irregular people. what it says is, do everything possible.
peace always has a price. if you want peace in your home, your marriage, there's always a price. it costs your ego. it costs your self-centeredness, your selfishness. you've got to be willing to give in. maybe my wife is right. maybe my husband does have a point. maybe my kid has a legitimate gripe. maybe my parents do know what they're talking about. you've got to give up your pride, your ego. that's the cost for the price of peace.
the three most difficult words in the english language are "i was wrong." that's compromise, cooperation. the two most difficult words are "i'm sorry". the five: "i'm sorry. i was wrong." seven: "i'm sorry. i was wrong, a lot." you get the point.
eric seagle's book made into a movie love story – "love means never having to say you're sorry." he was dead wrong! love means saying you're sorry, over and over. in relationships you get hurt and you hurt other people. accidentally, intentionally, you just do it.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, November 23, 2009
which is our focus - the problem or the blame?...
we are looking at being peacemakers as JESUS' 7th beatitude in matthew 5.9 (niv) says will make us happy, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of GOD.
now we have gotten together with the one we are having a problem and we have paid attention to their feelings now we attack the problem but not the person.
you can't focus on fixing the problem and fixing the blame at the same time. it's impossible. if you go to the meeting thinking you're going to blame the other person, then forget it.
proverbs 15.1(tev), a gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up.
engage your mind before you engage your mouth. be sincere, not sarcastic. you don't get the point across by being cross. attack the problem not the person. don't criticize, condemn and compare.
ephesians 4.29 (tev), do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.
don't go condemning the person. don't be criticizing and comparing. say things that build people up, not put them down.
the language of love by gary smalley will teach you how, in conflict, to say the right thing and not the wrong thing.
just a thought from the front porch…
now we have gotten together with the one we are having a problem and we have paid attention to their feelings now we attack the problem but not the person.
you can't focus on fixing the problem and fixing the blame at the same time. it's impossible. if you go to the meeting thinking you're going to blame the other person, then forget it.
proverbs 15.1(tev), a gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up.
engage your mind before you engage your mouth. be sincere, not sarcastic. you don't get the point across by being cross. attack the problem not the person. don't criticize, condemn and compare.
ephesians 4.29 (tev), do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.
don't go condemning the person. don't be criticizing and comparing. say things that build people up, not put them down.
the language of love by gary smalley will teach you how, in conflict, to say the right thing and not the wrong thing.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, November 22, 2009
who's needs are you thinking about?...
so you are having a conflict with someone and you set up a time for a face to face talk time with them and in this time you need to pay attention to the other person’s feelings, to their needs.
philippians 2.4 (ph), none of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people's interests also.
when you're upset, who are you thinking about? me, my needs, my hurts, you hurt me. i don't care about you.
but GOD says reverse that. get together and first of all think about what are their needs, what can i do to help them? focus on their needs, not my own needs.
parents have to be peacemakers – tug of war over toys, in house fighting. you have to listen to your kids and be sensitive and empathize with their needs and figure out why are they hurting. why are they arguing over this?
one of the values of conflict is when you solve it, it usually leads to greater intimacy because you understand them better. you've been listening.
just a thought from the front porch…
philippians 2.4 (ph), none of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people's interests also.
when you're upset, who are you thinking about? me, my needs, my hurts, you hurt me. i don't care about you.
but GOD says reverse that. get together and first of all think about what are their needs, what can i do to help them? focus on their needs, not my own needs.
parents have to be peacemakers – tug of war over toys, in house fighting. you have to listen to your kids and be sensitive and empathize with their needs and figure out why are they hurting. why are they arguing over this?
one of the values of conflict is when you solve it, it usually leads to greater intimacy because you understand them better. you've been listening.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, November 21, 2009
so you're having a conflict with someone?...
matthew 5.9 (ms), you're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. that's when you discover who you really are, and your place in GOD's family.
so how do you cooperate instead of compete or fight? how do you resolve conflict at home, at work, at school, with your friends? how do you make peace?
well first of all you got to get together and talk.
matthew 5.23-24 (tev), if you remember your brother has something against you go at once and make peace.
HE says, you take the initiative. don't wait for them to make the first move. it doesn't matter if you're the offended or the offender, it's always my move.
in 1979, sadat won the nobel peace prize because he took the initiative. he broke the blockade, flew over to jerusalem and opened up peace talks with israel that eventually awarded accords.
always take the initiative. why? because JESUS said so.
you take the initative. and because you're more mature. go first. schedule a sit down, face to face meeting.
conflict is not resolved accidentally. it doesn't resolve itself. you must intentionally deal with it.
when do you deal with it? ...at once ... do it now. don't postpone it. if you avoid or delay it only grows worse. the longer i wait to resolve a conflict the more difficult it's going to be to resolve it.
just a thought from he front porch…
so how do you cooperate instead of compete or fight? how do you resolve conflict at home, at work, at school, with your friends? how do you make peace?
well first of all you got to get together and talk.
matthew 5.23-24 (tev), if you remember your brother has something against you go at once and make peace.
HE says, you take the initiative. don't wait for them to make the first move. it doesn't matter if you're the offended or the offender, it's always my move.
in 1979, sadat won the nobel peace prize because he took the initiative. he broke the blockade, flew over to jerusalem and opened up peace talks with israel that eventually awarded accords.
always take the initiative. why? because JESUS said so.
you take the initative. and because you're more mature. go first. schedule a sit down, face to face meeting.
conflict is not resolved accidentally. it doesn't resolve itself. you must intentionally deal with it.
when do you deal with it? ...at once ... do it now. don't postpone it. if you avoid or delay it only grows worse. the longer i wait to resolve a conflict the more difficult it's going to be to resolve it.
just a thought from he front porch…
Friday, November 20, 2009
but why should i be a pecemaker?
we are looking at the 8 attitudes for happiness that JESUS gave in HIS first sermon . matthew 5.9 (niv) is the 7th one, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of GOD.
now a good question that could be asked is why should i be a peacemaker?
well one reason is unresolved conflict blocks my fellowship with GOD. the bible says you cannot have close fellowship with GOD and be out of fellowship with other people at the same time. i john 4.21 (ms) says, loving GOD includes loving people…
if you're growing close to GOD and the other person is growing close to GOD it's inevitably going to pull you closer together. when you're out of fellowship with people – horizontal – you're out of fellowship with GOD – vertical.
also it prevents answered prayers. i peter 3.7 (nirv) says, husbands, take good care of your wives…treat them with respect…then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
if you’ll read matthew 5 you’ll see that reconciliation is a prerequisite for worship. it says that when you come to church and you're ready to give your offering and you remember somebody has something against you, go and get that right and then come back. nothing can substitute for reconciliation. not giving, sharing, reading the bible. if you're having a hard time getting an answer to prayer, maybe you'd better check out your relationships.
another reason is it hinders my happiness. when i'm in conflict with margaret my wife i'm miserable. job 18.4 (tev), you are only hurting yourself with your anger.
listen, resentment is dumb. when you get resentful it monopolizes your attention. all you can think about is that other person. you're just bugged by that other person. they're having a great time and you're the one who's upset.
you need to learn to be a peacemaker.
just a thought from the front porch…
now a good question that could be asked is why should i be a peacemaker?
well one reason is unresolved conflict blocks my fellowship with GOD. the bible says you cannot have close fellowship with GOD and be out of fellowship with other people at the same time. i john 4.21 (ms) says, loving GOD includes loving people…
if you're growing close to GOD and the other person is growing close to GOD it's inevitably going to pull you closer together. when you're out of fellowship with people – horizontal – you're out of fellowship with GOD – vertical.
also it prevents answered prayers. i peter 3.7 (nirv) says, husbands, take good care of your wives…treat them with respect…then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
if you’ll read matthew 5 you’ll see that reconciliation is a prerequisite for worship. it says that when you come to church and you're ready to give your offering and you remember somebody has something against you, go and get that right and then come back. nothing can substitute for reconciliation. not giving, sharing, reading the bible. if you're having a hard time getting an answer to prayer, maybe you'd better check out your relationships.
another reason is it hinders my happiness. when i'm in conflict with margaret my wife i'm miserable. job 18.4 (tev), you are only hurting yourself with your anger.
listen, resentment is dumb. when you get resentful it monopolizes your attention. all you can think about is that other person. you're just bugged by that other person. they're having a great time and you're the one who's upset.
you need to learn to be a peacemaker.
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, November 19, 2009
some misunderstandings about peacemaking...
we are looking at the 7th attitude for happiness that JESUS gave in HIS sermon on the mount. matthew 5.9 (niv), blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of GOD.
now there are some misunderstandings about peacemaking.
first peacemaking is not avoiding. it's not running from the problem. it's not pretending it doesn't exist. "i don't want to talk about it" is not peacemaking, it's cowardice. a lot of manly men take this approach.
none of us like conflict so we avoid it, postpone it, put it off but it only gets bigger.
then it is not appeasement. this is the approach of a lot of women. but it’s not always giving in and let the other person have their own way. it’s not letting people run over you. that's passivity. JESUS was a very controversial person. HE stood HIS ground on a number of issues.
once in a while i read a marriage book that says you ought to be a doormat and always let the other partner have their own way and always give in – for the sake of peace be a doormat. JESUS never said that. JESUS never said you ever had to give up your identity or be a chameleon.
it's not appeasement and it's not avoiding. but it's actively seeking to resolve the conflict. that is what peacemaking is all about.
just a thought from the front porch…
now there are some misunderstandings about peacemaking.
first peacemaking is not avoiding. it's not running from the problem. it's not pretending it doesn't exist. "i don't want to talk about it" is not peacemaking, it's cowardice. a lot of manly men take this approach.
none of us like conflict so we avoid it, postpone it, put it off but it only gets bigger.
then it is not appeasement. this is the approach of a lot of women. but it’s not always giving in and let the other person have their own way. it’s not letting people run over you. that's passivity. JESUS was a very controversial person. HE stood HIS ground on a number of issues.
once in a while i read a marriage book that says you ought to be a doormat and always let the other partner have their own way and always give in – for the sake of peace be a doormat. JESUS never said that. JESUS never said you ever had to give up your identity or be a chameleon.
it's not appeasement and it's not avoiding. but it's actively seeking to resolve the conflict. that is what peacemaking is all about.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
the riots of the 60's & 70's...
i am old enough that i remember the late 60’s and early 70’s. the vietnam war and the peace riot days. i always had problems with riots for peace, it just didn’t make sense to me. rioting for peace but then i guess going to war for peace doesn’t make sense either but we sometimes have to do it.
did you notice that rioting didn’t bring peace it just brought more rioting, more war, war here at home?
maybe you are looking for peace in your home. you as a father possibly have a lot of turmoil inside and all it takes is for your wife or one of your kids to say the wrong thing and you explode and then you are in the middle of a major dangerous storm and you wonder where did my peace go?
JESUS in HIS 7th beatitude says there's one thing you can always know when we're like our heavenly FATHER, matthew 5.9 (niv), blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of GOD. you are a son of GOD when you're a peacemaker.
it doesn't say, "happy are the peace lovers", everybody loves peace. or, "happy are the peaceable", those who never get disturbed by anything. it says, happy are those who make peace – who actively seek to resolve conflict.
i like how the message puts it, (ms), you're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. that's when you discover who you really are, and your place in GOD's family.
just a thought from the front porch…
did you notice that rioting didn’t bring peace it just brought more rioting, more war, war here at home?
maybe you are looking for peace in your home. you as a father possibly have a lot of turmoil inside and all it takes is for your wife or one of your kids to say the wrong thing and you explode and then you are in the middle of a major dangerous storm and you wonder where did my peace go?
JESUS in HIS 7th beatitude says there's one thing you can always know when we're like our heavenly FATHER, matthew 5.9 (niv), blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of GOD. you are a son of GOD when you're a peacemaker.
it doesn't say, "happy are the peace lovers", everybody loves peace. or, "happy are the peaceable", those who never get disturbed by anything. it says, happy are those who make peace – who actively seek to resolve conflict.
i like how the message puts it, (ms), you're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. that's when you discover who you really are, and your place in GOD's family.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
happiness is from the inside...
we have been dealing with the 6th beatitude. matthew 5.8 (ms), you're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. then you can see GOD in the outside world.
so let’s do a SPIRITual heart checkup. what is the condition of your heart? some of you have a broken heart. and it's hurting.
some of you have a hard heart. you've had so much bitterness and resentment in your life for so long, you've let it pile up and you have a stony, hard heart and nothing can break through. your husband can't get close to you or your wife can't get close to you. nobody can get close to you. you've allowed your heart to be hardened.
some of you have a divided heart. you're trying to serve GOD one way on sunday and the devil on monday. you're trying to please many different people. you act one way with one group of people, other ways with other groups of people. it's divided and no wonder you're not happy. let GOD give you a new heart.
isn't it time you stopped pretending that you're really happy and you're not? isn't it time you stopped pretending that you're following CHRIST when you're only doing it half heartedly if at all? would you come to GOD and say, "ok, GOD, i need a new heart." happiness is from the inside out. happiness is a heart condition.
just a thought from the front porch…
so let’s do a SPIRITual heart checkup. what is the condition of your heart? some of you have a broken heart. and it's hurting.
some of you have a hard heart. you've had so much bitterness and resentment in your life for so long, you've let it pile up and you have a stony, hard heart and nothing can break through. your husband can't get close to you or your wife can't get close to you. nobody can get close to you. you've allowed your heart to be hardened.
some of you have a divided heart. you're trying to serve GOD one way on sunday and the devil on monday. you're trying to please many different people. you act one way with one group of people, other ways with other groups of people. it's divided and no wonder you're not happy. let GOD give you a new heart.
isn't it time you stopped pretending that you're really happy and you're not? isn't it time you stopped pretending that you're following CHRIST when you're only doing it half heartedly if at all? would you come to GOD and say, "ok, GOD, i need a new heart." happiness is from the inside out. happiness is a heart condition.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, November 16, 2009
how do i get a clean heart?...
so how do i get a clean heart? how can i clean up my heart so i can be happy?
the answer is you can't on your own. otherwise JESUS wouldn't have needed to come to earth.
i would like to recommend to you a heart specialist. HIS name is dr. JESUS. HE makes house calls. HE doesn't cost a thing. HE is a pro in heart transplants. HE wants to give you a new life through HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
do what david did in psalm 51. he had had the most shattering experience of his life. he had committed adultery with another man's wife and then had him killed. he was a murderer and an adulterer. he felt bad. psalm 51.10 (lb), create in me a new, clean heart, o GOD, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.
to get a clean heart you just ask GOD. look at the word new. GOD wants to give you a brand new heart. HE wants you to put your trust in HIM. just ask HIM for a clean heart and HE'll give you a new heart, a new outlook, a new life, a new start.
JESUS through HIS HOLY SPIRIT is the key the only key. HE wants to and can make the difference in your worries, your ambitions, your motivations, your priorities. do you want to be happy and experience GOD’s presence? just come to HIM and ask HIM to clean up your heart and to make it new and HE can and HE will.
just a thought from the front porch…
the answer is you can't on your own. otherwise JESUS wouldn't have needed to come to earth.
i would like to recommend to you a heart specialist. HIS name is dr. JESUS. HE makes house calls. HE doesn't cost a thing. HE is a pro in heart transplants. HE wants to give you a new life through HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
do what david did in psalm 51. he had had the most shattering experience of his life. he had committed adultery with another man's wife and then had him killed. he was a murderer and an adulterer. he felt bad. psalm 51.10 (lb), create in me a new, clean heart, o GOD, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.
to get a clean heart you just ask GOD. look at the word new. GOD wants to give you a brand new heart. HE wants you to put your trust in HIM. just ask HIM for a clean heart and HE'll give you a new heart, a new outlook, a new life, a new start.
JESUS through HIS HOLY SPIRIT is the key the only key. HE wants to and can make the difference in your worries, your ambitions, your motivations, your priorities. do you want to be happy and experience GOD’s presence? just come to HIM and ask HIM to clean up your heart and to make it new and HE can and HE will.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, November 15, 2009
what are the results of having a pure heart?
a pure in heart person is controlled by GOD's priorities. he or she has their heart set on what GOD says is important.
so what is the result? if i start trying to be an honest, transparent person of integrity with unmixed motives, what is the result?
well happiness is a result. happy are the pure in heart. why? you're not faking it. you're not trying to be a phony, to pretend. but the opposite is also true: unhappy are the divided hearts – trying to please everybody.
some of you are trying to please a bunch of people and you're divided and you're unhappy. happiness is when you don't have any fear of being found out.
and they will see GOD. the result of having an unmixed motive of living for GOD no matter what is you get to see GOD in your life, your circumstances, in heaven. just as you don't see too well with dirty glasses, you don't see GOD too well with a dirty heart. you've got to clean it up.
just a thought from the front porch…
so what is the result? if i start trying to be an honest, transparent person of integrity with unmixed motives, what is the result?
well happiness is a result. happy are the pure in heart. why? you're not faking it. you're not trying to be a phony, to pretend. but the opposite is also true: unhappy are the divided hearts – trying to please everybody.
some of you are trying to please a bunch of people and you're divided and you're unhappy. happiness is when you don't have any fear of being found out.
and they will see GOD. the result of having an unmixed motive of living for GOD no matter what is you get to see GOD in your life, your circumstances, in heaven. just as you don't see too well with dirty glasses, you don't see GOD too well with a dirty heart. you've got to clean it up.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, November 14, 2009
where will you get your reward?...
a pure in heart person is content with GOD's praise. they say, i want the reward of GOD, not the reward of man.
now i’ll be honest, I used to have some real battles when i would stand before the arizona/southern nevada district of the church of the nazarene to give a report on how our year at the church I pastored had been. they would look at those numbers, attendance, giving, budgets and if they didn’t exceed the year before i could have problems in my self worth. but what we do here is not for the rewards of man but for the rewards of GOD.
JESUS talked about this in matthew 6.2 (ms), when you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. you've seen them in action, i'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. they get applause, true, but that's all they get.
the niv says in verses 2-4, ...I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
the word reward in those verses are different words. the word reward for when you're showing off means a temporary reward. the word reward for when GOD rewards you means a permanent investment. you won't get the reward immediately but it's coming. you don't sell out the future for the present
just a thought from the front porch…
now i’ll be honest, I used to have some real battles when i would stand before the arizona/southern nevada district of the church of the nazarene to give a report on how our year at the church I pastored had been. they would look at those numbers, attendance, giving, budgets and if they didn’t exceed the year before i could have problems in my self worth. but what we do here is not for the rewards of man but for the rewards of GOD.
JESUS talked about this in matthew 6.2 (ms), when you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. you've seen them in action, i'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. they get applause, true, but that's all they get.
the niv says in verses 2-4, ...I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
the word reward in those verses are different words. the word reward for when you're showing off means a temporary reward. the word reward for when GOD rewards you means a permanent investment. you won't get the reward immediately but it's coming. you don't sell out the future for the present
just a thought from the front porch…
Friday, November 13, 2009
who do you want to please?
so what does being pure in heart mean?
for one it means i'm continually conscious of GOD's presence.
a pure in heart person is conscious of the presence of GOD all the time. that is the mark of maturity.
the more mature you are the more you're conscious that GOD is with you all the time and the less conscious you are of other people around you when you're doing good.
an immature person, when he prays, is more worried about the people around him than he is about GOD. an immature person says, "i wonder if they're going to like this prayer." a mature person just focuses on pleasing GOD.
the desire of every CHRISTian's heart is to be a pleasure to HIM. that's what it means to be pure in heart.
happiness boils down to simply, who do you want to please in life? GOD says, you want to please other people? fine. try it. you can't please everybody. as soon as you get one crowd pleased, another crowd gets angry with you. you can't please everybody. but you can please GOD.
you say, "GOD, i want to do what YOU want me to do." doesn't that simplify life? reduce the stress? i can't please everybody in this world, but if i can please GOD then i know that it's the right thing. and that simplifies life so much. the tension, stress, and pressure go down. say, GOD make me more conscious that you're with me all the time.
just a thought from the front porch…
for one it means i'm continually conscious of GOD's presence.
a pure in heart person is conscious of the presence of GOD all the time. that is the mark of maturity.
the more mature you are the more you're conscious that GOD is with you all the time and the less conscious you are of other people around you when you're doing good.
an immature person, when he prays, is more worried about the people around him than he is about GOD. an immature person says, "i wonder if they're going to like this prayer." a mature person just focuses on pleasing GOD.
the desire of every CHRISTian's heart is to be a pleasure to HIM. that's what it means to be pure in heart.
happiness boils down to simply, who do you want to please in life? GOD says, you want to please other people? fine. try it. you can't please everybody. as soon as you get one crowd pleased, another crowd gets angry with you. you can't please everybody. but you can please GOD.
you say, "GOD, i want to do what YOU want me to do." doesn't that simplify life? reduce the stress? i can't please everybody in this world, but if i can please GOD then i know that it's the right thing. and that simplifies life so much. the tension, stress, and pressure go down. say, GOD make me more conscious that you're with me all the time.
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, November 12, 2009
what do you want out of your life?
another priority that shows whether my heart is pure, is my ambitions. what do you want out of your life? my goals reveal the direction of my heart. whatever is the number one goal in my life, ambition of my life, what's important to me, that is what is my god.
matthew 6.31-33 (phillips), ...don't worry about (these things) ... this is what pagans are always looking for; your heavenly FATHER knows you need them. (instead) set your heart first on HIS kingdom and HIS goodness and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.
the little phrase always looking for – that's ambition. don't be always looking for what everybody else is looking for.
the problem with a lot of CHRISTians, many believers have the exact same ambitions as unbelievers. no difference. they've bought into the culture, into the system. so as a result, they have the same tension. same stress. same headaches. same problems.
GOD says, set your heart first on doing what GOD wants you to do and all these other things will be brought in as a matter of choice.
have you written down your priorities anywhere? let me read you mine.
my reason for living is…
- to glorify GOD, to make HIM look good, in everything i do. (1 corinthians 10.31
- to serve GOD in such a way that my family will also serve HIM. (joshua 24.15b)
- to find the harassed, helpless and aimless and show them that CHRIST understands, cares and wants to make a difference in their lives. (matthew 9.36 & psalms 10.14)
what are your ambitions?
JESUS says, happy are the pure in heart for they will see GOD.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
what are you worried about?...
another priority that shows whether my heart is pure, is my anxieties. what do i worry about the most?
you can tell a lot about a person by what they worry about.
matthew 6.25 (niv), therefore i tell you, do not worry about your life…
if you'll go through all of matthew 6, the five most common worries are in this passage. v. 24 – finances; v. 25 – food; v. 27 – fitness; v. 28 – fashion; v. 34 – future.
if you're worrying about any of these things, it means GOD is not number one in your life. you have a misplaced priority.
you need to check out your anxieties. worry indicates there is a wrong priority. worry says, "GOD, i think i'm in charge here."
do you worry about your finances instead of trusting GOD? do you worry about fashion? the bible says, don't worry about clothes. GOD says "check out these things to see if your motives are right."
just a thought from the front porch…
you can tell a lot about a person by what they worry about.
matthew 6.25 (niv), therefore i tell you, do not worry about your life…
if you'll go through all of matthew 6, the five most common worries are in this passage. v. 24 – finances; v. 25 – food; v. 27 – fitness; v. 28 – fashion; v. 34 – future.
if you're worrying about any of these things, it means GOD is not number one in your life. you have a misplaced priority.
you need to check out your anxieties. worry indicates there is a wrong priority. worry says, "GOD, i think i'm in charge here."
do you worry about your finances instead of trusting GOD? do you worry about fashion? the bible says, don't worry about clothes. GOD says "check out these things to see if your motives are right."
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
i show my priorities by my activities...
we are looking at the 6th beatitude of JESUS where HE says that we are happy if have a pure heart. and an area that shows if we have a pure heart is our priorities, what is important to us. so how do you know what your priorities are.
one way is to look at your activities. where do I invest my time and my money?
matthew 6.19 (ph) says, don't pile up treasures on earth ... but keep your treasures in heaven. for wherever your treasure is, your heart will be there too! wherever you put your investment that's where you put your heart.
i can ask "what is first in your life?" and you will answer "the LORD has first place!" but if you will let me look at your check stubs and your schedule i can see what really has first place in your life.
regardless of what we say is first place, where we spend our time and money determines what is first place. that's why the purpose of tithing is to teach us to put GOD first place in our lives. when i give the first 10% of my money back to GOD i remember that it all came from HIM in the first place. the first part of the day, the first part of my money, the first of every week goes to GOD. GOD is first.
i find it interesting sometimes the reason that people give to not being in church on sundays. they’ll say something like, well i had free tickets given to me so i had to go to the race or the tractor pull or whatever and i want to say but GOD gave his life so you could live, so you could be in church. doesn’t that count?
listen we do what we want to do so don’t make excuses. you aren’t in church because you don’t think it is more important than what you want to do.
there is a reason that our son brett and daughter stefanie are today in ministry in the church. it’s because not going to church was never an option to us. there never was any thing that was more important to us.
back when brett and stef were at home and they went to get jobs, working instead of going to church was not an option. but you say their car insurance is expensive and so is their eternal soul.
just a thought from the front porch…
one way is to look at your activities. where do I invest my time and my money?
matthew 6.19 (ph) says, don't pile up treasures on earth ... but keep your treasures in heaven. for wherever your treasure is, your heart will be there too! wherever you put your investment that's where you put your heart.
i can ask "what is first in your life?" and you will answer "the LORD has first place!" but if you will let me look at your check stubs and your schedule i can see what really has first place in your life.
regardless of what we say is first place, where we spend our time and money determines what is first place. that's why the purpose of tithing is to teach us to put GOD first place in our lives. when i give the first 10% of my money back to GOD i remember that it all came from HIM in the first place. the first part of the day, the first part of my money, the first of every week goes to GOD. GOD is first.
i find it interesting sometimes the reason that people give to not being in church on sundays. they’ll say something like, well i had free tickets given to me so i had to go to the race or the tractor pull or whatever and i want to say but GOD gave his life so you could live, so you could be in church. doesn’t that count?
listen we do what we want to do so don’t make excuses. you aren’t in church because you don’t think it is more important than what you want to do.
there is a reason that our son brett and daughter stefanie are today in ministry in the church. it’s because not going to church was never an option to us. there never was any thing that was more important to us.
back when brett and stef were at home and they went to get jobs, working instead of going to church was not an option. but you say their car insurance is expensive and so is their eternal soul.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, November 9, 2009
keep it a secret...
we are evaluating our motives in what we do. proverbs 24.11 (tev), GOD knows and judges your motives. HE keeps watch on you; HE knows. and HE will reward you according to what you do.
GOD says that our reward is based on not just what we do, but why we do it.
in matthew 6, JESUS gives three examples, three good things you can do, but you can also do them in the wrong way.
verse 2 (niv), so when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and on the streets to be honored by men. i tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
HE says when you give, you shouldn't give in order to be seen by other people.
verse 5 (niv), and when you pray do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. i tell you they have received their reward in full.
have you ever heard anybody pray to the galleries, pray to other people? they pray a real flowery prayer, and when they're finished you want to say, "wow!" and you feel like clapping. GOD says, they have their reward. they don't have a pure heart.
verses 16-18 (niv), when you fast you do not go around looking as the hypocrite with a sad face so someone will ask if you are fasting. but… put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting…
so what is the point of all these things? JESUS is saying, the point of pure in heart is you keep it a secret when you do good. if you can't, maybe your motives are mixed. maybe you want the praise of men more than you want the praise of GOD. the test of pure in heart is can i keep it a secret? or do i have to blab every time? if you spent a night in prayer, could you keep that a secret? don't be a hypocrite he says three times.
just a thought from the front porch…
GOD says that our reward is based on not just what we do, but why we do it.
in matthew 6, JESUS gives three examples, three good things you can do, but you can also do them in the wrong way.
verse 2 (niv), so when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and on the streets to be honored by men. i tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
HE says when you give, you shouldn't give in order to be seen by other people.
verse 5 (niv), and when you pray do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. i tell you they have received their reward in full.
have you ever heard anybody pray to the galleries, pray to other people? they pray a real flowery prayer, and when they're finished you want to say, "wow!" and you feel like clapping. GOD says, they have their reward. they don't have a pure heart.
verses 16-18 (niv), when you fast you do not go around looking as the hypocrite with a sad face so someone will ask if you are fasting. but… put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting…
so what is the point of all these things? JESUS is saying, the point of pure in heart is you keep it a secret when you do good. if you can't, maybe your motives are mixed. maybe you want the praise of men more than you want the praise of GOD. the test of pure in heart is can i keep it a secret? or do i have to blab every time? if you spent a night in prayer, could you keep that a secret? don't be a hypocrite he says three times.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, November 8, 2009
HE sees everything you do...
matthew 5.8 (niv), blessed are the pure in heart and pure in heart means unmixed motives.
motives. matthew 6.1 (ms), be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. it might be good theater, but the GOD who made you won't be applauding.
is it possible to do good things with wrong motives? yes. is it possible to be outwardly religious and inwardly a mess? yes. and JESUS is saying here in HIS sixth beatitude, happiness comes when you are the same on the inside as on the outside. you're a person of integrity. you have unmixed motives. JESUS said this was so important so HE spent an entire chapter on it. matthew 6.
now if you are wanting to be pure in heart there is key phrase found in matthew 6.4, 6 & 18 (niv), …your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret…
listen, nothing is a secret from GOD. nothing is ever a surprise to HIM.
does it bother you to know that you have no secrets from GOD? it bothers me sometimes. there's a lot of secrets i would like to have from GOD. but GOD says HE knows everything about us.
a lot of people think they're fooling GOD. have you ever had the devil tell you, "go ahead, nobody will ever find out"?
i was reading in usa today of what some business people think about this matter of having an affair on business trips. salespeople call it the 1,000-mile rule. "within 1,000 miles of home, you play by the rules and don't fool around, but beyond 1,000 miles, you can do whatever you want." "go ahead, nobody will ever find out."
listen, somebody already knows.
hebrews 4:13 (niv), nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD's sight. everything is uncovered before the eyes of HIM to whom we must give account.
so if GOD already knows everything i might as well have a pure heart than try to fake it. i may fool others but i cannot fake out GOD. and the amazing thing is GOD knows everything that i'm going to do but HE still loves me.
just a thought from the front porch…
motives. matthew 6.1 (ms), be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. it might be good theater, but the GOD who made you won't be applauding.
is it possible to do good things with wrong motives? yes. is it possible to be outwardly religious and inwardly a mess? yes. and JESUS is saying here in HIS sixth beatitude, happiness comes when you are the same on the inside as on the outside. you're a person of integrity. you have unmixed motives. JESUS said this was so important so HE spent an entire chapter on it. matthew 6.
now if you are wanting to be pure in heart there is key phrase found in matthew 6.4, 6 & 18 (niv), …your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret…
listen, nothing is a secret from GOD. nothing is ever a surprise to HIM.
does it bother you to know that you have no secrets from GOD? it bothers me sometimes. there's a lot of secrets i would like to have from GOD. but GOD says HE knows everything about us.
a lot of people think they're fooling GOD. have you ever had the devil tell you, "go ahead, nobody will ever find out"?
i was reading in usa today of what some business people think about this matter of having an affair on business trips. salespeople call it the 1,000-mile rule. "within 1,000 miles of home, you play by the rules and don't fool around, but beyond 1,000 miles, you can do whatever you want." "go ahead, nobody will ever find out."
listen, somebody already knows.
hebrews 4:13 (niv), nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD's sight. everything is uncovered before the eyes of HIM to whom we must give account.
so if GOD already knows everything i might as well have a pure heart than try to fake it. i may fool others but i cannot fake out GOD. and the amazing thing is GOD knows everything that i'm going to do but HE still loves me.
just a thought from the front porch…
Saturday, November 7, 2009
GOD is more concerned with why than what...
we are looking at this matter of happiness, where does it come from, how do i get it, how can i keep it? but for so many of us we are looking for happiness in the wrong places and the reality of our search is futile.
now we have been looking at some verses in the beginning of one of JESUS’ great messages. HE started this sermon on the mount with the subject of happiness. we are now going to look at verse 8 of matthew 5.
americans are increasingly concerned with purity. we want to drink pure water. we want to breathe pure air. we want to eat pure foods.
i read that there is a company that will, from fees ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 dollars come and do an analysis on why your house stinks so you can have pure air in your house. another article says last year americans spent over half a billion dollars on water purifiers.
now as important as clean air, pure water and pure food are, there is a sense of purity that americans tend to overlook. matthew 5.8 (niv), blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GOD.
happiness is a heart condition. it's not what goes inside you, it's what comes out. happiness is from the inside out.
so what does pure in heart mean? it means unmixed motives. you are a person of integrity. you don't say one thing and act another way. your motives are true.
listen, GOD is concerned with why we do things as much as HE's concerned with what we do. HE's concerned with our motives.
just a thought from the front porch…
now we have been looking at some verses in the beginning of one of JESUS’ great messages. HE started this sermon on the mount with the subject of happiness. we are now going to look at verse 8 of matthew 5.
americans are increasingly concerned with purity. we want to drink pure water. we want to breathe pure air. we want to eat pure foods.
i read that there is a company that will, from fees ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 dollars come and do an analysis on why your house stinks so you can have pure air in your house. another article says last year americans spent over half a billion dollars on water purifiers.
now as important as clean air, pure water and pure food are, there is a sense of purity that americans tend to overlook. matthew 5.8 (niv), blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GOD.
happiness is a heart condition. it's not what goes inside you, it's what comes out. happiness is from the inside out.
so what does pure in heart mean? it means unmixed motives. you are a person of integrity. you don't say one thing and act another way. your motives are true.
listen, GOD is concerned with why we do things as much as HE's concerned with what we do. HE's concerned with our motives.
just a thought from the front porch…
Friday, November 6, 2009
some key relationship questions that will lead to happinesss...
who is it in your life that needs mercy? that's barely hanging on? and they're about to let go? you need to show some mercy this week.
who is it in your life that you're still holding the past over their head? you won't let them off the hook. every time they do something you don't like you bring this back up for ammunition. it's always silently there in the background. that's a great way to kill a marriage. you're unpleasable. no matter what they do for you, you remember the past. you have a little scale in your mind. no matter what they do for you, you keep on reminding them of this. you're destroying your own marriage. you're doing it yourself.
who is it that you need to say a word of forgiveness to this week. let them off the hook, wipe the slate clean, never mention it again. it's over, it's done with, it's forgiven. that's it! be happy! show mercy!
just a thought from the front porch…
who is it in your life that you're still holding the past over their head? you won't let them off the hook. every time they do something you don't like you bring this back up for ammunition. it's always silently there in the background. that's a great way to kill a marriage. you're unpleasable. no matter what they do for you, you remember the past. you have a little scale in your mind. no matter what they do for you, you keep on reminding them of this. you're destroying your own marriage. you're doing it yourself.
who is it that you need to say a word of forgiveness to this week. let them off the hook, wipe the slate clean, never mention it again. it's over, it's done with, it's forgiven. that's it! be happy! show mercy!
just a thought from the front porch…
Thursday, November 5, 2009
let's see people with the eyes of CHRIST...
once you really feel forgiven, once you have been graced, then it's easier for you to be gracious. once you have felt the mercy of GOD then it's easier for you to be merciful.
now after you've done that, the next thing you do, in order to become a merciful person, is start looking at people with the eyes of JESUS CHRIST. look at people the way the LORD would see them.
by the way, if you have trouble with lust, this is the key. instead of looking at them in lust, look at them in love, the way JESUS would see them. instead of a body, you will see a person. so, instead of having a problem with lust, you start saying, "LORD, help me to see the man, woman from your point of view. how do you see that person? what are the hurts you see in their lives? what are the needs you see in their lives?" look at them from the eyes of CHRIST. the most CHRIST like thing you can do is to care for other people.
the thing CHRISTians are going to be judged for at the judgment is how they treated other people. in matthew 25.36-40 (ms) JESUS said, i was hungry and you fed me, i was thirsty and you gave me a drink, i was homeless and you gave me a room, i was shivering and you gave me clothes, i was sick and you stopped to visit, i was in prison and you came to me. and we're going to say, what are you talking about? when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? and when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? JESUS said, whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was ME—you did it to me.
GOD's going to ask you how you treated other people. were you merciful? were you like HIM? JESUS had a ministry of mercy. HE lifted up the lonely. HE accepted the rejected. HE grieved with those who were sorrowing. HE loved the unlovely. HE helped those who are helpless and the hurting. HE cared for them. and GOD wants you to be a little CHRIST at your job, at your school, at your home. treat people the way HE would.
just a thought from the front porch…
now after you've done that, the next thing you do, in order to become a merciful person, is start looking at people with the eyes of JESUS CHRIST. look at people the way the LORD would see them.
by the way, if you have trouble with lust, this is the key. instead of looking at them in lust, look at them in love, the way JESUS would see them. instead of a body, you will see a person. so, instead of having a problem with lust, you start saying, "LORD, help me to see the man, woman from your point of view. how do you see that person? what are the hurts you see in their lives? what are the needs you see in their lives?" look at them from the eyes of CHRIST. the most CHRIST like thing you can do is to care for other people.
the thing CHRISTians are going to be judged for at the judgment is how they treated other people. in matthew 25.36-40 (ms) JESUS said, i was hungry and you fed me, i was thirsty and you gave me a drink, i was homeless and you gave me a room, i was shivering and you gave me clothes, i was sick and you stopped to visit, i was in prison and you came to me. and we're going to say, what are you talking about? when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? and when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? JESUS said, whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was ME—you did it to me.
GOD's going to ask you how you treated other people. were you merciful? were you like HIM? JESUS had a ministry of mercy. HE lifted up the lonely. HE accepted the rejected. HE grieved with those who were sorrowing. HE loved the unlovely. HE helped those who are helpless and the hurting. HE cared for them. and GOD wants you to be a little CHRIST at your job, at your school, at your home. treat people the way HE would.
just a thought from the front porch…
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
do you feel forgiven?...
we are dealing with offering mercy here and a good question would be how then do i become a merciful person? and the starting point is you must first experience the mercy of GOD.
you cannot offer mercy to anyone else until you have first received mercy. you can't offer forgiveness to anybody else until first you feel forgiven.
one of the reasons why some of you have a hard time forgiving people is because you don't really feel forgiven. when i feel unforgiven, then i am definitely unforgiving. when i don't feel good i sure don't want anybody else to feel good.
the starting point is i must receive the mercy of GOD, the peace of GOD and the forgiveness of GOD and then i can offer it to others.
every sin you have ever committed, are committing right now, or will commit has already been paid for. why? the bible says just as you break man's laws there's a penalty, you break GOD's laws and there's a penalty. the bible says, the wages of sin is death. JESUS took that penalty. it's already paid for. right now you can have a clear conscious, a clean slate. you can begin a new life. you can receive the mercy of GOD, not because you deserve to be forgiven, you don't. but GOD wants to forgive you, simply because HE is a forgiving GOD. HE loves forgiving. it's HIS nature. HE is a GOD of mercy.
after you've done that, once you really feel forgiven, once you have been graced, then it's easier for you to be gracious. once you have felt the mercy of GOD then it's easier for you to be merciful.
just a thought from the front porch…
you cannot offer mercy to anyone else until you have first received mercy. you can't offer forgiveness to anybody else until first you feel forgiven.
one of the reasons why some of you have a hard time forgiving people is because you don't really feel forgiven. when i feel unforgiven, then i am definitely unforgiving. when i don't feel good i sure don't want anybody else to feel good.
the starting point is i must receive the mercy of GOD, the peace of GOD and the forgiveness of GOD and then i can offer it to others.
every sin you have ever committed, are committing right now, or will commit has already been paid for. why? the bible says just as you break man's laws there's a penalty, you break GOD's laws and there's a penalty. the bible says, the wages of sin is death. JESUS took that penalty. it's already paid for. right now you can have a clear conscious, a clean slate. you can begin a new life. you can receive the mercy of GOD, not because you deserve to be forgiven, you don't. but GOD wants to forgive you, simply because HE is a forgiving GOD. HE loves forgiving. it's HIS nature. HE is a GOD of mercy.
after you've done that, once you really feel forgiven, once you have been graced, then it's easier for you to be gracious. once you have felt the mercy of GOD then it's easier for you to be merciful.
just a thought from the front porch…
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
do you really like being miserable?..
mercy makes me happy. that's what JESUS says, happy are the merciful. matt. 5.7 (ph) but the opposite of that is true also: "unhappy are the unmerciful."
the most miserable people i know are people who are resentful, who refuse to give up a grudge, who are holding some unforgiveness over somebody else's head. they don't realize they are hurting themselves. unmercifulness makes you miserable.
ben franklin said, "when you're good to other people you are best to yourself."
proverbs 11.17 (ms), when you're kind to others, you help yourself; when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself.
doing acts of mercy gets us out of ourselves, it gets the focus off of me and on to other people and produces happiness.
a tremendous way to get rid of depression is to learn to develop due acts of mercy. when you're depressed and all of a sudden begin to be patient to those who are peculiar, forgiving to those who have fallen, helping those who are hurting, doing good to your enemies, you will watch the clouds of depression lift and blow away. it gets you out of yourself and gets the focus off of you. as you give your life away, the happiness comes.
you ought to be merciful, simply because it makes you happy. it's a boomerang blessing: what you give is what you get.
just a thought from the front porch…
the most miserable people i know are people who are resentful, who refuse to give up a grudge, who are holding some unforgiveness over somebody else's head. they don't realize they are hurting themselves. unmercifulness makes you miserable.
ben franklin said, "when you're good to other people you are best to yourself."
proverbs 11.17 (ms), when you're kind to others, you help yourself; when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself.
doing acts of mercy gets us out of ourselves, it gets the focus off of me and on to other people and produces happiness.
a tremendous way to get rid of depression is to learn to develop due acts of mercy. when you're depressed and all of a sudden begin to be patient to those who are peculiar, forgiving to those who have fallen, helping those who are hurting, doing good to your enemies, you will watch the clouds of depression lift and blow away. it gets you out of yourself and gets the focus off of you. as you give your life away, the happiness comes.
you ought to be merciful, simply because it makes you happy. it's a boomerang blessing: what you give is what you get.
just a thought from the front porch…
Monday, November 2, 2009
GOD doesn't give us what we deserve...
GOD has been merciful to me so i need to be merciful to other people. now we tend to judge other people by their worse faults and we tend to judge ourselves by our best intentions.
be merciful. why? because GOD has shown me mercy
another motivator is because i'm going to need it in the future. i don't expect to be perfect from now until the time that i die, so i'm going to need more mercy.
james 2.13 (ph), the man who makes no allowances for others will find none made for him.
only those who give it, get it. those who give mercy, get mercy. those who don't give mercy, don't get mercy back.
you say, "but you don't know how much this person hurt me! and they continue to hurt me! i just can't forgive them."
then i hope you never sin. forgiveness and mercy are a two-way street. when you refuse to forgive others and refuse to show mercy to others, you're burning the very bridge you have to walk across to get to heaven. the bible says, that those who show mercy receive mercy. those who don't, do not.
i need to be merciful, because i'm going to need it again in the future. i'm going to make mistakes.
don't burn your bridges. be very careful about demanding justice, because GOD just might give it to you. if we all got what we deserved, none of us would be here. GOD does not give us what we deserve; HE gives us what we need. and that's mercy. and mercy is giving to others, not what they deserve when they've fallen, not what they deserve when they've hurt us, but giving them what they need.
just a thought from the front porch…
be merciful. why? because GOD has shown me mercy
another motivator is because i'm going to need it in the future. i don't expect to be perfect from now until the time that i die, so i'm going to need more mercy.
james 2.13 (ph), the man who makes no allowances for others will find none made for him.
only those who give it, get it. those who give mercy, get mercy. those who don't give mercy, don't get mercy back.
you say, "but you don't know how much this person hurt me! and they continue to hurt me! i just can't forgive them."
then i hope you never sin. forgiveness and mercy are a two-way street. when you refuse to forgive others and refuse to show mercy to others, you're burning the very bridge you have to walk across to get to heaven. the bible says, that those who show mercy receive mercy. those who don't, do not.
i need to be merciful, because i'm going to need it again in the future. i'm going to make mistakes.
don't burn your bridges. be very careful about demanding justice, because GOD just might give it to you. if we all got what we deserved, none of us would be here. GOD does not give us what we deserve; HE gives us what we need. and that's mercy. and mercy is giving to others, not what they deserve when they've fallen, not what they deserve when they've hurt us, but giving them what they need.
just a thought from the front porch…
Sunday, November 1, 2009
we are to do to others what HE has done for us...
so what is my motivation to be merciful this week?
well, because GOD has shown me mercy.
matthew 18:33 (lb), shouldn't you have mercy on others just as I had mercy on you?
GOD expects me to do to others what HE has already done to me.
when you think about those people who really tick you off, if you're having a hard time being merciful to those people, remember what a jerk you've been with GOD. i think of all the flack that GOD has taken from bill williams – all the stuff i've done my own way, done my own thing, shined on GOD and said, "forget it! i'm going to do this!" yet, GOD still loves me.
what a gracious, merciful GOD HE is. i think of all the dumb stunts i've pulled and all the things i've done wrong and HE continues to shower me with HIS love and mercy and grace.
stop and remind yourself, "GOD, if YOU can be merciful to me, surely i can be merciful to that person."
one day some religious hypocrites brought a lady caught in the act of adultery to JESUS where HE was teaching and threw her down in front of HIM.
they said, "JESUS, this lady was caught in the act of adultery. and YOU know what the law says – if you're caught doing adultery, you get stoned to death!" JESUS said, "you're right. that's the law. the first one of you who has never broken the law gets to throw the first stone." and they all silently started walking away.
another time JESUS said, "you're so concerned by the problems in that other person's life, before you get the speck of sawdust out of your neighbor's eyes, why don't you get the telephone pole out of your own eye?" no contest.
GOD has been merciful to me so i need to be merciful to other people.
just a thought from the front porch…
well, because GOD has shown me mercy.
matthew 18:33 (lb), shouldn't you have mercy on others just as I had mercy on you?
GOD expects me to do to others what HE has already done to me.
when you think about those people who really tick you off, if you're having a hard time being merciful to those people, remember what a jerk you've been with GOD. i think of all the flack that GOD has taken from bill williams – all the stuff i've done my own way, done my own thing, shined on GOD and said, "forget it! i'm going to do this!" yet, GOD still loves me.
what a gracious, merciful GOD HE is. i think of all the dumb stunts i've pulled and all the things i've done wrong and HE continues to shower me with HIS love and mercy and grace.
stop and remind yourself, "GOD, if YOU can be merciful to me, surely i can be merciful to that person."
one day some religious hypocrites brought a lady caught in the act of adultery to JESUS where HE was teaching and threw her down in front of HIM.
they said, "JESUS, this lady was caught in the act of adultery. and YOU know what the law says – if you're caught doing adultery, you get stoned to death!" JESUS said, "you're right. that's the law. the first one of you who has never broken the law gets to throw the first stone." and they all silently started walking away.
another time JESUS said, "you're so concerned by the problems in that other person's life, before you get the speck of sawdust out of your neighbor's eyes, why don't you get the telephone pole out of your own eye?" no contest.
GOD has been merciful to me so i need to be merciful to other people.
just a thought from the front porch…
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