Wednesday’s Word – The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Hello All,
Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? Did you go “scavenger hunting” to find that special something for those special someone’s on your list? Or did you take advantage of our amazing information age and “point- and- click” your way to a Merry Christmas for your friends and family? Either way is fine, It really is the thought that counts (that’s what those of us who took the easy way out say) :)

What category does most of the gifts fall into? Arts & Crafts? Tools, toys & trinkets or do they fall under the dominant “techie” category? MP3 players, digital cameras, laptops and iPads, video games and what not.

Scripturally, we often see the usual presents at Christmas and they're perfectly wonderful as is with the whole of Scripture – The Gospel accounts of the Virgin Birth, The prophetic Jewels of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. Well, here’s a lil something from pages visited less frequently but just as good in light of the “gift giving” aspect of Christmas.

Here’s the Word;
1 Chronicles 28:8-9(a) Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. 9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee;

You know, most of the gifts we give at Christmas – especially when it comes to technology will be so outdate just 5 years down the road, they’ll most likely be replaced. But living to honor Christ and teaching loved ones to do the same is the perfect way to secure a gift that will continue to provide benefits not only for a lifetime, but for lifetimes to come…talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Overthrow the Government

Alright, I guess the first thing I must do is apologize - If you work anywhere like I work (although I'm not at work right now), there are certain organizations where its never, EVER funny to even joke about something like that and you're immediately put on "the list". And for the other group who don't work anywhere like that, you're probably on "the list" anyway because now you're considered a "known associate" of people like me from the first group. So suffice it to say, we're probably now ALL on the list. I'm sorry. But hey, look on the bright side - if you have to explain your side of the story, you have an opening to share the Gospel, remember Paul speaking to King Agrippa (Acts 26)

But anyway, of course I'm not advocating the forceful removal of neither ours nor anyone else's government. But I do have a question - What, or rather whom is seated on the throne in your life? What is the motivation behind your actions - I mean when you're not at church? There's an old saying "Show me your checkbook, and I'll tell you who you are." (Or whose you are). This Wednesday's word is not about money, but governance, rulership. Does our Sunday Sanctification turn into Monday Mediocrity and on to Tuesday's Tantrums? Now I know that not a single one of us has reached perfection and that's totally not where I'm trying to go. This is about the heart of your matter.

Here' s the Word;

1 Colossians 3:15 - 17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

Have we subjected the idea of the Theocratic Rule to the back burner of our lives because we're so sure that Jesus never had to deal with the hussle and bussle and bad drivers the way we have to today? Or have we turned the Monarchy into a democracy where we have just as much "voice" as He? Well, not trying to judge, condemn or call you on the carpet about your life. Most of my blogging is me seeking what God would say to me and allowing my friends to listen in. But if it speaks to you and comes to your mind as you're living out your hussle and bussle - Check the throne room of your heart, is Christ there high and lifted up, or is someone else in His seat? If so, its definitely time to overthrow THAT government.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Lighten Up, Francis

Can people tell when you’re high? Yep, I went there. I played the dramatic card by asking a provocative question to capture your interest and lay a foundation for what I’m trying to say. But really, if I’d started off with asking, “Can people tell when you’re low?”….you get the picture, but not as sensational right? Over the years, I’ve put the spotlight on a few people who I’ve admired: Spurgeon, Tozer & Liddell. Now I’d like to introduce Francis Chan. If you’ve never heard of him, here’s a brief intro. He’s a former church pastor who’s also written a couple of books, the most popular entitled “Crazy Love”. Still unfamiliar? Google him and watch a couple of his Youtube videos. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. However you get to know Francis, you’ll realize that one of the biggest things about him is that he’s driven to go higher. “Is this really what serving Christ is about?” and “Can I do more?” seems to be his mantras.
He and his family sold their house and are currently working with Life Impact International in Thailand til the end of the year. He doesn’t know what he and his family of six will do next. I can imagine people (even good Christian folk) asking… Are you high? And his answer being “Not yet, but I’m well on my way.”

Here’s the Word

Philippians 3:13 – 14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1 talks about laying aside weights and sin. Know what I notice in that? some of the weights aren’t sins at all. It seems possible that comforts and pleasures (some might even call them blessings) – even those things that we’ve worked hard for can make us too heavy to get high to where our calling is. And as always, I don’t imagine that we all have to do what Francis has done, but in light of his provocative example, I hope we’d be moved to lighten up, and go higher.

In Him,
Cros