What a great illustration today by our pastor! Would you choose a soup from a gourmet chef or one full of bugs that has been sitting in the yard for two days? Well that’s a no-brainer, huh? Except, isn’t that what the Lord has done for each of us, by setting before us life and death, blessings and curses, and asking us to choose life, so that we may live?!
There are some things that are true. God loves us and has provided salvation through his son Jesus Christ. There are some things that are equally true. Alcohol and drugs can be killers. Why choose death when life is offered?
One who struggled in his own battles of self-control, Peter, said, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” He further said that we have his “very great and precious promises, so that through them we may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Or how about Paul’s statement, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” So we are equipped to overcome any obstacle. If God is for us, who could be against us? So why do we struggle so? Why do we have self-worth issues if we really, truly believe that we are created in the image of God? How could we have self-worth issues if we believe and understand that Christ was willing to die so that he could spend the rest of eternity with us?
Scripture tells us that we need 1) to be in a right relationship with God, 2) to be in right relationships with others, 3) we need to have right thinking, which means to think, believe, and live the truth, 4) we need to lean on the Holy Spirit to do that which we cannot do by ourselves, and 5) we need to persevere through time. We are told it will be worth it. Paul said that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.”
As a counselor, I have watched in sorrow as many have chosen the way of death instead of the way of life.
Why eat two day old soup when you can “taste and see that the Lord is good”?
Gil Martin
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Word About Posting
We are thrilled about the comments we are receiving from people as they reply to our staff posts. One important thing we would love for your help on is this: Please put your name in the body of the post. Some posts might be stories the pastor would want to use at some time, and without your name in the post, then we have no idea who left the reply. This will be a great help to us!!
By the way, our staff will have posts put on the blog Monday through Friday.
Let me also challenge you to be in worship and LIFE group Sunday as we continue to work through to the victory God has for us!
In Christ,
Dwight Munn
By the way, our staff will have posts put on the blog Monday through Friday.
Let me also challenge you to be in worship and LIFE group Sunday as we continue to work through to the victory God has for us!
In Christ,
Dwight Munn
Friday, March 6, 2009
Pursuing Victory
One way I’m pursuing victory and healing over my own depravity . . .
As I reflect and think on what I’ve done this past year to find victory over my own identity, relationship struggles and strongholds, God has been teaching me to live out James 5:16, “Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Oftentimes, people look at ministers as “having it all together” and not having to deal with weaknesses and struggles. For me, this life I live and walk with Christ each day has seasons of strength AND weakness. Oftentimes, I feel like a “yo yo Christian” – victory, defeat, victory, defeat! I must say though that as I am seeking to LIVE OUT James 5:16, I am much more aware and conscious of honoring God in all my ways. I have made huge strides in my efforts to find victory, but I have plenty of “me” to keep me humble.
God led me to a fellow Christian layman of our church in the fall of 2007. Here is what happens when we meet: we simply share our life together -- our victories AND our defeats. We offer one another Godly counsel and sometimes painful feedback or advice for a solution. We always end our time praying over one another. See, when you enter into a place of honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity with someone else, and you really become real, it’s amazing how liberated you feel! Unexplainable! I would be lying though if I said it was easy to be very honest when you first begin meeting. So, I challenge you to be brutally honest with your group. There is such joy in walking in grace and watching the guilt melt away, and realizing that all along, the enemy wants us to be isolated and to feel like such a “Wretch”. According to James 5:16, we find Victory and Healing as we obey this simple passage. Our group is now made up of three men who meet once a week for about one hour. We support one another in prayer and literally carry one another’s burdens at times. We rejoice when we see victory’s won!
I’m praying that you will find that person or persons to help you live out James 5:16!
Whit Bass
As I reflect and think on what I’ve done this past year to find victory over my own identity, relationship struggles and strongholds, God has been teaching me to live out James 5:16, “Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Oftentimes, people look at ministers as “having it all together” and not having to deal with weaknesses and struggles. For me, this life I live and walk with Christ each day has seasons of strength AND weakness. Oftentimes, I feel like a “yo yo Christian” – victory, defeat, victory, defeat! I must say though that as I am seeking to LIVE OUT James 5:16, I am much more aware and conscious of honoring God in all my ways. I have made huge strides in my efforts to find victory, but I have plenty of “me” to keep me humble.
God led me to a fellow Christian layman of our church in the fall of 2007. Here is what happens when we meet: we simply share our life together -- our victories AND our defeats. We offer one another Godly counsel and sometimes painful feedback or advice for a solution. We always end our time praying over one another. See, when you enter into a place of honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity with someone else, and you really become real, it’s amazing how liberated you feel! Unexplainable! I would be lying though if I said it was easy to be very honest when you first begin meeting. So, I challenge you to be brutally honest with your group. There is such joy in walking in grace and watching the guilt melt away, and realizing that all along, the enemy wants us to be isolated and to feel like such a “Wretch”. According to James 5:16, we find Victory and Healing as we obey this simple passage. Our group is now made up of three men who meet once a week for about one hour. We support one another in prayer and literally carry one another’s burdens at times. We rejoice when we see victory’s won!
I’m praying that you will find that person or persons to help you live out James 5:16!
Whit Bass
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Healing Wounds instead of "Pushing Buttons"
"Wounded people wound people." That's the way John said it Sunday, wasn't it? I can attest to the truth of that statement and I suspect you can, too. I know it to be truth because, unfortunately, I have both wounded and been wounded. And.....so have you. But why is it like that? Why do we seemingly go out of our way to wound people when we are wounded? Is it something of a "misery loves company" sort of thing? And, specifically, have you noticed that we often seem to wound those closest to us when we are wounded?
I was recently talking to a young friend who has been married just a few years. He was telling me about a disagreement he had had with his wife and, specifically, lamenting how poorly he responded to it. He said, "We're just not like you and your wife who never get into a fight." Now I knew he was pouring his heart out as a result of genuine remorse for his actions. Still, I laughed out loud when he made that statement! Don't fight with my wife.....are you kidding me? I explained to him that not only did my wife and I fight (although I'll admit after nearly 30 years of marriage, we rarely fight) that like every other couple on the planet we were experts at hurting each other. I told him how I know exactly what to say or do to hurt my wife. I know exactly what buttons to push to wound her in those moments I feel wounded. In fact, it is something I do it on purpose at times. If I am hurting, I make sure she does, too! Now I don't hold this up as an example of good behavior or an appropriate response. I am just being honest about something that is true in me....and, I suspect, true in you. Namely, when we are hurting we go out of our way to hurt others......especially, those closest to us!
It is not my intention to offer solutions to this ridiculous phenomenon in these musings. First, I am not really qualified but, more importantly, I don't think any of us really need help to understand how to change this type behavior if we really want to. No....my purpose in this writing is to ask you (and me) to honestly consider if there are any people who we have gone out of our way to wound lately. And, if so, to challenge you (and me) to be begin the process of restoration. Ultimately, it is the Lord who can provide the healing from these wounds. But we are not to simply be bystanders in this process. So, what about it? Does anybody come to your mind who you have wounded?
Randy Impson
I was recently talking to a young friend who has been married just a few years. He was telling me about a disagreement he had had with his wife and, specifically, lamenting how poorly he responded to it. He said, "We're just not like you and your wife who never get into a fight." Now I knew he was pouring his heart out as a result of genuine remorse for his actions. Still, I laughed out loud when he made that statement! Don't fight with my wife.....are you kidding me? I explained to him that not only did my wife and I fight (although I'll admit after nearly 30 years of marriage, we rarely fight) that like every other couple on the planet we were experts at hurting each other. I told him how I know exactly what to say or do to hurt my wife. I know exactly what buttons to push to wound her in those moments I feel wounded. In fact, it is something I do it on purpose at times. If I am hurting, I make sure she does, too! Now I don't hold this up as an example of good behavior or an appropriate response. I am just being honest about something that is true in me....and, I suspect, true in you. Namely, when we are hurting we go out of our way to hurt others......especially, those closest to us!
It is not my intention to offer solutions to this ridiculous phenomenon in these musings. First, I am not really qualified but, more importantly, I don't think any of us really need help to understand how to change this type behavior if we really want to. No....my purpose in this writing is to ask you (and me) to honestly consider if there are any people who we have gone out of our way to wound lately. And, if so, to challenge you (and me) to be begin the process of restoration. Ultimately, it is the Lord who can provide the healing from these wounds. But we are not to simply be bystanders in this process. So, what about it? Does anybody come to your mind who you have wounded?
Randy Impson
Interruptions
“Interruptions
Okay, let me be honest about something: I do not like unexpected interruptions. Partly I do not like unexpected interruptions because of how they interfere with my busy "to-do list" day. I also do not like unexpected interruptions because they are … well… unexpected. Yet God often uses those very interruptions to draw me closer to Himself. In that drawing my life is changed.
Luke 19:1-10 tells us about Zacchaeus. I was impressed about what the story tells us about the unexpected interruptions in life. He was certainly interrupted by Jesus' visit to his house. But in that interruption he found a depth of relationship with God which was life-changing. In fact, it changed the whole focus of his life as he went from miser, swindler and thief to a generous, honest giver who honored the God of Abraham by acting like one of his sons. He was better for the interruption which changed his life and eternity.
As you may know, one of my latest unexpected interruptions is the discovery a month ago that my dad has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. That unexpected interruption has certainly shaken us; we have shed tears and lifted up prayers. In this faith walk we are learning to trust God even when the prospects look dark. Yet God works in all things for good even if we do not immediately understand it all. We are finding that we are walking a little closer to our Lord during these days. He is changing our lives in the process.
Woods Watson
Okay, let me be honest about something: I do not like unexpected interruptions. Partly I do not like unexpected interruptions because of how they interfere with my busy "to-do list" day. I also do not like unexpected interruptions because they are … well… unexpected. Yet God often uses those very interruptions to draw me closer to Himself. In that drawing my life is changed.
Luke 19:1-10 tells us about Zacchaeus. I was impressed about what the story tells us about the unexpected interruptions in life. He was certainly interrupted by Jesus' visit to his house. But in that interruption he found a depth of relationship with God which was life-changing. In fact, it changed the whole focus of his life as he went from miser, swindler and thief to a generous, honest giver who honored the God of Abraham by acting like one of his sons. He was better for the interruption which changed his life and eternity.
As you may know, one of my latest unexpected interruptions is the discovery a month ago that my dad has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. That unexpected interruption has certainly shaken us; we have shed tears and lifted up prayers. In this faith walk we are learning to trust God even when the prospects look dark. Yet God works in all things for good even if we do not immediately understand it all. We are finding that we are walking a little closer to our Lord during these days. He is changing our lives in the process.
Woods Watson
Monday, March 2, 2009
Joy: Catalyst to Victory
During 40 Days of Victory, we have adopted the following definition for victory: The supernatural joy of defeating that which would defeat you. Notice how the joy is not dependent on the outcome of the battle. The joy comes from the way we position our heart and our mind. The joy comes from how we let our faith function in the light of God's word.
It does not mean we won't have failures or frustrations. The general direction of our life follows God's course. Living in victory means we make the choice to accept what God has offered us in Jesus Christ. We allow the goodness of God in Christ to saturate every aspect of our life and relationships. We are transformed in that process.
Zaccheaus is a perfect example of a man who embraced Christ and by doing that embraced victory. He was being defeated by greed. Love of money was his addiction. He was a tax collector, and they were notorious for being corrupt in their collection of taxes. He gained victory one day when he heard Jesus was coming his way. He ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. He was looking for more. The Bible tells he was short in stature. Jesus called up to him in the tree and basically told him "I am coming to your house to stay."
Zacchaeus responds with joy. The crowd begins to grumble about Jesus going to the house of Zacchaeus. The greed thing - what the enemy wanted to use to defeat Zaccheus - was rearing its ugly head. What would Zaccheus do in this moment to insure victory? He had to prepare the "house" of his life before Jesus came into his home.
No holding back...Zaccheaus was all in.
Instead of running and hiding, he met his past head on. He promised half of his wealth to the poor. He also promised to pay back 4 times over anyone .
So we see theses things from Zacchaeus:
1. He responded with joy.
2. He came down and gladly welcomed Jesus to come to his home.
3. He made right what he had done wrong.
4. He began to do what is necessary for victory.
Let me challenge you to enter into the joy of victory even before the results arrive. Joy brings on victory.
With Christ, we will not lose. That's reason to be joyful!
Dwight Munn
It does not mean we won't have failures or frustrations. The general direction of our life follows God's course. Living in victory means we make the choice to accept what God has offered us in Jesus Christ. We allow the goodness of God in Christ to saturate every aspect of our life and relationships. We are transformed in that process.
Zaccheaus is a perfect example of a man who embraced Christ and by doing that embraced victory. He was being defeated by greed. Love of money was his addiction. He was a tax collector, and they were notorious for being corrupt in their collection of taxes. He gained victory one day when he heard Jesus was coming his way. He ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. He was looking for more. The Bible tells he was short in stature. Jesus called up to him in the tree and basically told him "I am coming to your house to stay."
Zacchaeus responds with joy. The crowd begins to grumble about Jesus going to the house of Zacchaeus. The greed thing - what the enemy wanted to use to defeat Zaccheus - was rearing its ugly head. What would Zaccheus do in this moment to insure victory? He had to prepare the "house" of his life before Jesus came into his home.
No holding back...Zaccheaus was all in.
Instead of running and hiding, he met his past head on. He promised half of his wealth to the poor. He also promised to pay back 4 times over anyone .
So we see theses things from Zacchaeus:
1. He responded with joy.
2. He came down and gladly welcomed Jesus to come to his home.
3. He made right what he had done wrong.
4. He began to do what is necessary for victory.
Let me challenge you to enter into the joy of victory even before the results arrive. Joy brings on victory.
With Christ, we will not lose. That's reason to be joyful!
Dwight Munn
Digging a Mine Takes Time
"God gave me a new daddy!" This is the phrase I heard Sunday after Sunday from Shawn, a young lady in the mission church Susan and I started a few years back. Her father, Mike, was an avowed but sincere atheist who took a challenge from me to come to church on "a month of Sundays" to give God (if he were real) a chance to work in his life. But...before the month was over Mike also accepted a much greater challenge from Jesus who dared him to, "Come and follow me." (Matthew 19:21). Although being "born again" implies growth over a long period of time, the change in Mike's life was immediate and noticeable to all.
Can people really experience victory in forty days? Most certainly! Jesus proclaimed a "conversionist" message that we all have seen in operation with our own two eyes. Not only can change happen in forty days, but it can happen overnight..indeed, in an instant. I've never seen a wife change a husband, or a husband change a wife, but I've seen people come to Jesus and truly be changed.
Knowing all of this makes me want to be a "lazy" thinker when it comes to the subject of victory and declare that "this is the victory that overcomes the world our (my) faith." (1 John 5:4). But learning from John's message yesterday that half of the references to "lostness" in the Bible refer to Christians, has set me to more stringent thinking.
Even as a believer, are there areas of my life in which I've allowed the enemy to 1) steal my identity in Christ, either through insecurities or vaulted self image, 2) are there addictions in my life that give me fulfillment over my relationship to Christ (I'll have to admit that, sometimes when I'm worried, I choose an ice cream sundae over prayer!), and 3) how does my response to broken relationships, depression, or stress provide either a positive or negative witness for Christ to those around me?
They say that it only took a few seconds for a man to look down and discover gold at Sutter's mill, starting the California gold rush. But it took days and even years to dig the mines to realize the full wealth of the claim. I know I have discovered immediate "Victory in Jesus" that comes from being a follower of Jesus Christ. I've staked my claim to the "gold" of victory in my conversion. But maybe now it's time to actually concentrate a little harder on digging the mine and plumbing the depths to realize this victory in my daily life. And...digging a mine takes time...maybe forty days in this case!
Toby Frost
Can people really experience victory in forty days? Most certainly! Jesus proclaimed a "conversionist" message that we all have seen in operation with our own two eyes. Not only can change happen in forty days, but it can happen overnight..indeed, in an instant. I've never seen a wife change a husband, or a husband change a wife, but I've seen people come to Jesus and truly be changed.
Knowing all of this makes me want to be a "lazy" thinker when it comes to the subject of victory and declare that "this is the victory that overcomes the world our (my) faith." (1 John 5:4). But learning from John's message yesterday that half of the references to "lostness" in the Bible refer to Christians, has set me to more stringent thinking.
Even as a believer, are there areas of my life in which I've allowed the enemy to 1) steal my identity in Christ, either through insecurities or vaulted self image, 2) are there addictions in my life that give me fulfillment over my relationship to Christ (I'll have to admit that, sometimes when I'm worried, I choose an ice cream sundae over prayer!), and 3) how does my response to broken relationships, depression, or stress provide either a positive or negative witness for Christ to those around me?
They say that it only took a few seconds for a man to look down and discover gold at Sutter's mill, starting the California gold rush. But it took days and even years to dig the mines to realize the full wealth of the claim. I know I have discovered immediate "Victory in Jesus" that comes from being a follower of Jesus Christ. I've staked my claim to the "gold" of victory in my conversion. But maybe now it's time to actually concentrate a little harder on digging the mine and plumbing the depths to realize this victory in my daily life. And...digging a mine takes time...maybe forty days in this case!
Toby Frost
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