Rom. 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God's will for my life . . . Of all the things I talk about the most, it's probably the one I understand the least and would most like to find out about. I would really love to know what I'm supposed to do this summer, where I am supposed to teach when I get out of school, and a lot of other things as well. Maybe it's a result of overactive curiousity, but I really wish I knew what is going to happen, and I often wrap this curiosity – sometimes anxiety -- up nicely by saying “I wish I knew God's will for my life.” It sounds nicer that way than banging my head against the future and crying “all right I give up! What's gonna happen and what do you want me to do about it?” Ever been there, or am I the only one?
I've been working with these verses from Romans and some others recently and it keeps being brought to my attention that I have the wrong view of God's will. That God's will is the best and only safe place to aim my future I am sure, but my reasons for wanting to know what's going to happen in the future is not so much about God's will as it is mine. A lot of times when I say I want to know God's will for my life, I don't really want to know God's will as much as I want a crystal ball to see the future so I can plan my will in it. I would rather plan for the future than obey in the present, and the more verses God points out to me, the more I realize that God's will is more like a string in a cave and less like a map on a table: I can not study it to find the end, I must follow it to see where it leads. I don't know exactly why it has to work this way and I am not allowed to know the end or as much as I would like, but my guess is that it has something to do my tendency to want to rely on myself and do things my way because all the verses I am finding about God's will keep pointing out a spirit of surrender and trust in the moment at hand, not self-dependency and knowing exactly what I should do two weeks from now. When I focus on following instead of finding and surrendering instead of solving, I find God's promises that He will lead and direct my thoughts and steps. This is not nearly as easy for me to do as it is to say, but who says all of God's lessons are easy. When it comes down to it, it is again the simple question of who I would rather have in charge of my life, me or God. I say “God”, but my actions and frustration at not knowing the future cry more loudly “me!” Don't get me wrong, I do believe that following God's will requires action and planning ahead, a lot of it, but the action involves more obedience to what I know to do right now, and less worrying about what I hope God has for my future because, like it or not, I can only live in the present. Pray for me on this one because it's been a real struggle for me recently (maybe a combination of too much coffee and energy and too much time off work!) *laugh*. If you really want to help me sometime, don't just ask me what God has for my future because I don't really know and I know how to make it sound good and noble; instead ask me how well I obeyed Him that day because that's a much better indicator.
Mike
Mark 13:11 “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”
Prov. 16:3 “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
December 31, 2008
December 30, 2008
Birthday Wishes for the Birthday Girl!
Happy 19th Birthday Katie Hefflefinger! Thanks for always having a smile on your face! We miss you when you're away at college. May God richly bless you as you get to know Him more in the coming year.
God glorifies Himself toward the creatures in two ways: 1. By appearing to . . . their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself. . . . God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it.- (Jonathan Edwards)
December 27, 2008
Somebody has a Birthday today...!!!!
Happy 18th Birthday Chrystal Dierking! Thanks for being a part of our youth group. We'll be praying for you as you continue to mature and grow closer to our Lord. Its exciting to think where/how God can use those who are submitted to His will. Keep learning! Hope you have a fan-tab-u-lous day!
December 26, 2008
December 25, 2008
Tis the Birthday of a King!!!!!
In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a child one day,
And the sky was bright,
With a holy light,
O'er the place where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia!
How it rang!
And the sky was bright,
With a holy light,
'Twas the birthday of a King.
Humble birthplace,
But O!
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect holy way.
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia!
How it rang!
And the sky was bright,
With a Holy light,
'Twas the birthday of a King.
There lay a child one day,
And the sky was bright,
With a holy light,
O'er the place where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia!
How it rang!
And the sky was bright,
With a holy light,
'Twas the birthday of a King.
Humble birthplace,
But O!
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect holy way.
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia!
How it rang!
And the sky was bright,
With a Holy light,
'Twas the birthday of a King.
December 23, 2008
A Life Hid With Christ . . .
Col. 3:1-3“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ”
Sometimes I imagine it is a sacrifice for Christians to set their affections on things above and give up things on this earth, but recently I have been wondering where could possibly be a better or safer place for them. Try as I might I can't come up with anything besides God that can't be taken away from a person. Money, health, even something as good and worthwhile as a husband, wife, child, or friend can -- and often are -- taken away quickly and with no explanation. Just look at Job. I've seen it happen -- in some very small ways experienced it myself -- and while it is sad, it implants more firmly in my head that there is no safer place for a life to be hid or affections set than in a unchanging everlasting God. People need a cause to live for, even die for, we are unfullfilled without one, and when God sent Christ to earth as a baby, He gave us just that . . . a reason to live that can never be taken away because "our life is hid with Christ in God." Thank God for that because I see nothing so great about eternal life if life is not attached to something or someone worth living for.
“He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~ Jim Elliot
Sometimes I imagine it is a sacrifice for Christians to set their affections on things above and give up things on this earth, but recently I have been wondering where could possibly be a better or safer place for them. Try as I might I can't come up with anything besides God that can't be taken away from a person. Money, health, even something as good and worthwhile as a husband, wife, child, or friend can -- and often are -- taken away quickly and with no explanation. Just look at Job. I've seen it happen -- in some very small ways experienced it myself -- and while it is sad, it implants more firmly in my head that there is no safer place for a life to be hid or affections set than in a unchanging everlasting God. People need a cause to live for, even die for, we are unfullfilled without one, and when God sent Christ to earth as a baby, He gave us just that . . . a reason to live that can never be taken away because "our life is hid with Christ in God." Thank God for that because I see nothing so great about eternal life if life is not attached to something or someone worth living for.
“He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~ Jim Elliot
December 17, 2008
I got a new cd this week and this is one of the songs on it. I heard it when I needed it most and found the words extremely challenging/comforting/encouraging. Hopefully you'll be able to listen to it as well. Keep struggling. Keep fighting. Keep getting back up. Its worth it!
Proverbs 10:22-"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it."
Chrystal
December 16, 2008
Galations 1:16
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Wow, this really just hit me, so many times I go the way that sounds best to my flesh, in ways of sin and ways of peer pressure, I'm scared of what the other person will think of me for doing something to make my relationship with God better, and a computer game, or doing something for my flesh instead of doing something for the one who gave me a purpose.
Jordan
Wow, this really just hit me, so many times I go the way that sounds best to my flesh, in ways of sin and ways of peer pressure, I'm scared of what the other person will think of me for doing something to make my relationship with God better, and a computer game, or doing something for my flesh instead of doing something for the one who gave me a purpose.
Jordan
December 15, 2008
A Missing Key
I want to quickly share something that happened in our household this morning. God has the most amazing way of showing Himself real to us.
Jesse and John needed to go someplace this morning that was two hours away. They were going to pick something up and then travel the two hours back home, in time for John to get to work this afternoon. Anyways, it was almost 8:00 and they were getting ready to head out the door when Jesse realized he didn't have his key. Yes...a singular key that wasn't on a keychain...ahem...Anyways, this caused all of us to be drafted into the search for the key. Jesse said he had had it in his pocket earlier in the morning but apparently it must have fallen out. (Which means it could have been anywhere!) We all were going up and down the stairs, passing each other as we went through the rooms, and looking in the same spots that some one else had just looked in, hoping they had somehow missed it! =) It was getting rather frustrating. Anyways, the boys were upstairs and I was in the kitchen, when I heard my mom on the stairs saying, "Ok, lets pray that we find the key." The next thing I heard was her praying that God would direct our steps so that we'd be able to find the key in time for the boys to still be able to make the trip. She had hardly finished her prayer when I heard the boys coming through the upstairs hallway. I knew before they even came downstairs that they had found it. It was the weirdest thing. I was still standing in the same place that I had been when my mom had prayed. That was one fast answer to prayer! Sometimes I think God likes to do that for us as if to say "You didn't really think I was really listening, did you?" Oh me of little faith! We serve such a great God! The key had been in Marks room, on the floor. I find that rather odd, seeing as how I had walked through there after Rachel and we both had looked on the floor. Hmm...all I have to say is "I'm thankful for a mom who thought to pray!"
Needless to say, the boys made it out of here by 8:20 or so and should be able to make the trip in good time. Jesse also now has a bright pink ribbon attatched to his key, with the threat that he is either getting a key chain or keeping the ribbon. =)
Chrystal
Jesse and John needed to go someplace this morning that was two hours away. They were going to pick something up and then travel the two hours back home, in time for John to get to work this afternoon. Anyways, it was almost 8:00 and they were getting ready to head out the door when Jesse realized he didn't have his key. Yes...a singular key that wasn't on a keychain...ahem...Anyways, this caused all of us to be drafted into the search for the key. Jesse said he had had it in his pocket earlier in the morning but apparently it must have fallen out. (Which means it could have been anywhere!) We all were going up and down the stairs, passing each other as we went through the rooms, and looking in the same spots that some one else had just looked in, hoping they had somehow missed it! =) It was getting rather frustrating. Anyways, the boys were upstairs and I was in the kitchen, when I heard my mom on the stairs saying, "Ok, lets pray that we find the key." The next thing I heard was her praying that God would direct our steps so that we'd be able to find the key in time for the boys to still be able to make the trip. She had hardly finished her prayer when I heard the boys coming through the upstairs hallway. I knew before they even came downstairs that they had found it. It was the weirdest thing. I was still standing in the same place that I had been when my mom had prayed. That was one fast answer to prayer! Sometimes I think God likes to do that for us as if to say "You didn't really think I was really listening, did you?" Oh me of little faith! We serve such a great God! The key had been in Marks room, on the floor. I find that rather odd, seeing as how I had walked through there after Rachel and we both had looked on the floor. Hmm...all I have to say is "I'm thankful for a mom who thought to pray!"
Needless to say, the boys made it out of here by 8:20 or so and should be able to make the trip in good time. Jesse also now has a bright pink ribbon attatched to his key, with the threat that he is either getting a key chain or keeping the ribbon. =)
Chrystal
December 12, 2008
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me..*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me..*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
Someone is now eligible to vote!!!!
Happy 18th Birthday Gregory Kyle Stauffer! Thanks for your enthusiasm and leadership in the youth group. We'll be praying for you in the coming year as you seek to follow God's leading.
December 11, 2008
A few favorite verses
I like to hear other people's ideas about the Bible, but occasionally I need to just remember what God says about Himself. 1 Cor. 2:6 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (Yeah, basically I'm sparing you a rant of my own ignorance, so be thankful!! j/k) There's nothing very deep or complicated about these verses and they aren't arranged in any particular order, but the simple messages they give are the ones that mean the most to me and the ones I come back to when times get tough. Mostly this is just a continuation of the message on Sunday night, so thanks pastor for reminding me not to forget God's best promises.
Mike
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 37: 4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 139:16-17 “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Psalm 73:24 “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
2 Cor. 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (I know we hear this one all the time at Christmas, but stop and consider what it means for the most high God to personally send a message declaring peace and goodwill to a race that should rightfully be His enemies. Think how many other religions and people across the ages have begged and pleaded and sacrificed for a promise such as this.)
Heb. 13:5 “ . . . He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Mike
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 37: 4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 139:16-17 “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Psalm 73:24 “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
2 Cor. 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (I know we hear this one all the time at Christmas, but stop and consider what it means for the most high God to personally send a message declaring peace and goodwill to a race that should rightfully be His enemies. Think how many other religions and people across the ages have begged and pleaded and sacrificed for a promise such as this.)
Heb. 13:5 “ . . . He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
December 8, 2008
Streams in the Desert...
Today I was looking for some form of encouragement and I came across this excerpt from the book Streams in the Desert... I thought it was quite good, even if the illustration is a little cheesy.. ;) lol...
There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.
People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.
There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The oil, of good cheer to the downhearted one--Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it.
Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; our ways diverge, never to meet again, The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.
A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."
"We cannot know the grief That men may borrow;We cannot see the souls Storm-swept by sorrow; But love can shine upon the way Today, tomorrow; Let us be kind. Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken, We live in vain who give no tender token. Let us be kind."
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).
This whole excerpt made me think that maybe I should be looking out for others instead of myself all the time. True, you don't always feel like being an encouragement to your siblings or parents (or the others that God has placed around you), but they need it just as much as we do. Find things that you can do to help anyone who is down. If you have your mind on others it can't be on yourself... ( duh.. that was obvious.... but hey! it's true!!) So anyways, as you go through today try to keep your thoughts off of yourself... (It's almost impossible so don't get discouraged when you fail... just as long as you keep trying!!) Oh, and the other thing you NEED to do when you are down... start praying, get your mind off of your "troubles" by focusing on praying for others, soon you will realize that your problems are small and insignificant!
Resting in Him,
Rachel
There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.
People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.
There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The oil, of good cheer to the downhearted one--Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it.
Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; our ways diverge, never to meet again, The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.
A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."
"We cannot know the grief That men may borrow;We cannot see the souls Storm-swept by sorrow; But love can shine upon the way Today, tomorrow; Let us be kind. Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken, We live in vain who give no tender token. Let us be kind."
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).
This whole excerpt made me think that maybe I should be looking out for others instead of myself all the time. True, you don't always feel like being an encouragement to your siblings or parents (or the others that God has placed around you), but they need it just as much as we do. Find things that you can do to help anyone who is down. If you have your mind on others it can't be on yourself... ( duh.. that was obvious.... but hey! it's true!!) So anyways, as you go through today try to keep your thoughts off of yourself... (It's almost impossible so don't get discouraged when you fail... just as long as you keep trying!!) Oh, and the other thing you NEED to do when you are down... start praying, get your mind off of your "troubles" by focusing on praying for others, soon you will realize that your problems are small and insignificant!
Resting in Him,
Rachel
December 5, 2008
December 2, 2008
A Christmas story....
I found this story online and thought i'd share it.
Rachel
A friend of mine named Paul received a car from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked.
Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated.
Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.
"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."
Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?"
"Oh yes, I'd love that."
After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front on my house?"
Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked.
He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.
"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.
That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when he had said, "It's more blessed to give...."
Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated.
Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.
"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."
Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?"
"Oh yes, I'd love that."
After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front on my house?"
Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked.
He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.
"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.
That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when he had said, "It's more blessed to give...."
Are you all out for God?
People that call themselves Christians, but live for themselves, want most at of both lives. You cant do that. You can only have one reward.
Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
This next verse goes along with Greg's sermon Sunday, About either living for yourself or living for God, how you cant be in between. This is a familiar verse, but is pretty clear.
Mathew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You cannot be inbetween, and have the peace of God.
Serving, and glorifying Christ is what a christian is. So if you don't enjoy it, you've got trouble.
Jordan
Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
This next verse goes along with Greg's sermon Sunday, About either living for yourself or living for God, how you cant be in between. This is a familiar verse, but is pretty clear.
Mathew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You cannot be inbetween, and have the peace of God.
Serving, and glorifying Christ is what a christian is. So if you don't enjoy it, you've got trouble.
Jordan
