DAY 344
9-13-10
2 & 3 JOHN
Good Morning!
Christians are not always as spiritually “well-rounded” as we need to be – we’re often all one thing or another. We need more balance in our lives. We concentrate on certain aspects of our spiritual life that we like and are comfortable with; and what does not come naturally or easy, we often give much less attention to.
Case in point is the relationship between truth and love. We desire and demand truth…biblical truth and the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. We don’t abide error (good!); but we also don’t abide doubt, struggle, or honest disagreement (not so good).
If we give all our attention to truth and neglect love are we better off? Of course not. Now the opposite is true as well. If we pursue love without truth, we’re still out balance. God will not give us a pass on truth no matter how much we love each other.
In John’s 2nd and 3rd short letters to his “children” he writes of the connection of truth and love. They go together. They compliment each other. They work together. They are a package deal.
(2 John 4-6) It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Yours in Truth and Love,
Barry
Good Morning!
Christians are not always as spiritually “well-rounded” as we need to be – we’re often all one thing or another. We need more balance in our lives. We concentrate on certain aspects of our spiritual life that we like and are comfortable with; and what does not come naturally or easy, we often give much less attention to.
Case in point is the relationship between truth and love. We desire and demand truth…biblical truth and the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. We don’t abide error (good!); but we also don’t abide doubt, struggle, or honest disagreement (not so good).
If we give all our attention to truth and neglect love are we better off? Of course not. Now the opposite is true as well. If we pursue love without truth, we’re still out balance. God will not give us a pass on truth no matter how much we love each other.
In John’s 2nd and 3rd short letters to his “children” he writes of the connection of truth and love. They go together. They compliment each other. They work together. They are a package deal.
2 John 4-6 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Yours in Truth and Love,
Barry
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Everything I Need
DAY 341
9-10-10
2 PETER 1-3
Good Morning!
Many Christians are always looking for the next thing; the next trend; the next book; and the next whatever – to help them become the Christian they want to be. They genuinely want to grow and mature and be a satisfied Christian; but the church isn’t the way they want it; people are unreliable; and something is always in the way.
Peter makes it clear that God has indeed given us everything we need to be the Christian we want to be; and have the satisfied life we want to have.
(2 Peter 1:3-4) 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. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
We are powerless to make Christianity satisfying. That’s our problem – we try to do it ourselves; or rely on someone else. Only God has the power to give us what we need to grow – knowledge of the Lord; and his precious promises. When we use what God gives us, then we will have the strength to live a satisfied life.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we live a life of faith and add to our faith the marks of a maturing and growing Christian, and when we admit God has the power; God will make it all happen.
We have been given everything we need for life and godliness!
Barry
9-10-10
2 PETER 1-3
Good Morning!
Many Christians are always looking for the next thing; the next trend; the next book; and the next whatever – to help them become the Christian they want to be. They genuinely want to grow and mature and be a satisfied Christian; but the church isn’t the way they want it; people are unreliable; and something is always in the way.
Peter makes it clear that God has indeed given us everything we need to be the Christian we want to be; and have the satisfied life we want to have.
(2 Peter 1:3-4) 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. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
We are powerless to make Christianity satisfying. That’s our problem – we try to do it ourselves; or rely on someone else. Only God has the power to give us what we need to grow – knowledge of the Lord; and his precious promises. When we use what God gives us, then we will have the strength to live a satisfied life.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we live a life of faith and add to our faith the marks of a maturing and growing Christian, and when we admit God has the power; God will make it all happen.
We have been given everything we need for life and godliness!
Barry
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Casting Your Anxieties on God
DAY 340
9-9-10
1 PETER 3-5
Good Morning!
What weighs you down? Burdens, worry, pain, stress, guilt, and anxiety are a normal part of life. There is no escaping this reality; but there is a solution to the severity of this human condition. When we keep our struggles to ourselves; insist on dealing with problems alone; or deny that we need help; the problem is not the problem…pride is the problem.
Confessing our needs, struggles, and sins, are a part of how we effectively deal with life. We need God and his loving strength; and we need each other. Don’t let pride cause you to suffer alone.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Of course, some issues are so severe that we need God to work through good doctors and counselors. However, God loves us, and cares for us, and wants us to cast our anxieties on him.
God cares for you.
Barry
9-9-10
1 PETER 3-5
Good Morning!
What weighs you down? Burdens, worry, pain, stress, guilt, and anxiety are a normal part of life. There is no escaping this reality; but there is a solution to the severity of this human condition. When we keep our struggles to ourselves; insist on dealing with problems alone; or deny that we need help; the problem is not the problem…pride is the problem.
Confessing our needs, struggles, and sins, are a part of how we effectively deal with life. We need God and his loving strength; and we need each other. Don’t let pride cause you to suffer alone.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Of course, some issues are so severe that we need God to work through good doctors and counselors. However, God loves us, and cares for us, and wants us to cast our anxieties on him.
God cares for you.
Barry
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Got Faith?
DAY 339
9-8-10
1 PETER 1-2
Good Morning!
How much is your faith worth? Generally, we care for and cherish the things that we love the most. The things that are the most important to us are taken care of because of their great value to our lives and our hearts. Our marriages, families, friends, and even jobs are so valuable that we’d do just about anything to keep them healthy. Is your faith and relationship with Jesus a cherished valuable possession?
Peter writes that our faith is “of greater worth than gold” (1 Peter 1:7). Nothing is more valuable to us than our faith. Nothing we possess can compare to its value, cost, and worth. Why? Because our faith is the only thing valuable enough to give us what is really important and priceless…salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Got Faith?
Barry
9-8-10
1 PETER 1-2
Good Morning!
How much is your faith worth? Generally, we care for and cherish the things that we love the most. The things that are the most important to us are taken care of because of their great value to our lives and our hearts. Our marriages, families, friends, and even jobs are so valuable that we’d do just about anything to keep them healthy. Is your faith and relationship with Jesus a cherished valuable possession?
Peter writes that our faith is “of greater worth than gold” (1 Peter 1:7). Nothing is more valuable to us than our faith. Nothing we possess can compare to its value, cost, and worth. Why? Because our faith is the only thing valuable enough to give us what is really important and priceless…salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Got Faith?
Barry
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Resistance
DAY 338
9-7-10
JAMES 1-5
Good Morning!
Satan is always on the attack. James writes about trials, temptations, poor relationships, immorality, dead faith, and wandering from the truth – and Satan is right in the middle of it all. Satan takes advantage of us when we suffer from sin and the world. A good, joyful attitude is helpful; but along with that we must submit to God and fight Satan.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do we get Satan out of our lives? How do we cause him to run away? When we submit to God; obey him and serve him; he helps us to resist Satan’s attacks. By submitting to God, Satan has no where to go but away. Submission causes us to pray in faith; sing songs of praise; and brings God’s healing.
Are you struggling? Submit to God and resist Satan; and watch how God will turn your struggles around and even bring joy back into your life.
Barry
9-7-10
JAMES 1-5
Good Morning!
Satan is always on the attack. James writes about trials, temptations, poor relationships, immorality, dead faith, and wandering from the truth – and Satan is right in the middle of it all. Satan takes advantage of us when we suffer from sin and the world. A good, joyful attitude is helpful; but along with that we must submit to God and fight Satan.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do we get Satan out of our lives? How do we cause him to run away? When we submit to God; obey him and serve him; he helps us to resist Satan’s attacks. By submitting to God, Satan has no where to go but away. Submission causes us to pray in faith; sing songs of praise; and brings God’s healing.
Are you struggling? Submit to God and resist Satan; and watch how God will turn your struggles around and even bring joy back into your life.
Barry
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Why Reading Your Bible is Important
DAY 335
9-4-10
HEBREWS 5-7
Good Afternoon!
The Hebrew Christians were leaving Christ and going back to Judaism. The reason was more than just from being tired of the persecution – they were not growing in Christ and therefore were weak.
Heb. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Heb. 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.
Christians need a solid foundation of elementary teachings; and then must move on to a steady diet of solid spiritual teaching. By growth in knowledge and wisdom of God’s word we are able to know the difference between right and wrong; good and evil; spiritual and unspiritual; and biblical and unbiblical. We will grow in the hope of Christ and the grace of God. This maturity gives us strength to stand up to persecution and temptation.
Reading the Bible everyday is vital for our spiritual heath. It’s not a legalistic item to simply check off; it’s an infusion of the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Who are the strong Christians who are able to stay with Jesus no matter what? Only those “who have tasted the heavenly gift; who have shared in the Holy Spirit; who have tasted the goodness of the word of God.” (Heb 6:4-5)
Barry
9-4-10
HEBREWS 5-7
Good Afternoon!
The Hebrew Christians were leaving Christ and going back to Judaism. The reason was more than just from being tired of the persecution – they were not growing in Christ and therefore were weak.
Heb. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Heb. 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.
Christians need a solid foundation of elementary teachings; and then must move on to a steady diet of solid spiritual teaching. By growth in knowledge and wisdom of God’s word we are able to know the difference between right and wrong; good and evil; spiritual and unspiritual; and biblical and unbiblical. We will grow in the hope of Christ and the grace of God. This maturity gives us strength to stand up to persecution and temptation.
Reading the Bible everyday is vital for our spiritual heath. It’s not a legalistic item to simply check off; it’s an infusion of the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Who are the strong Christians who are able to stay with Jesus no matter what? Only those “who have tasted the heavenly gift; who have shared in the Holy Spirit; who have tasted the goodness of the word of God.” (Heb 6:4-5)
Barry
Friday, September 3, 2010
Why Leave Jesus?
DAY 334
9-3-10
HEBREWS 1-4
Good Morning!
Jewish Christians were fed up; sick and tired; worn out; and were leaving grace and faith in Jesus to go back to law, works, and animal sacrifices. The persecutions were too much. The disappointments and discouragements were – well – disappointing and discouraging. They lost friends, family, and community over becoming Christians.
The Hebrew writer tries to convince them that Jesus is superior to everything under the Old Covenant; and salvation is worth putting up with any struggle or inconvenience. Do you think so? If your Christianity got really hard would you stay with it or bail out? The author of Hebrews has a theme going on…
• “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (2:1)
• “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (2:3)
• “He is able to help those who are being tempted.” (2:18)
• “Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” (3:1)
• “Hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” (3:14)
• “Let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” (4:1)
• “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (4:11)
• “Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” (4:14)
• “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (4:16)
The reoccurring theme here is to hold on and do whatever it takes to stay with Jesus and go to heaven. In times of struggle or doubt is leaving Christ; leaving his church; and going back to whatever you were before really going to make your life better? Will you be happier? Will you have a better hope? Will you really feel better about yourself and your future?
That’s enough to think about for now. More to come.
Barry
9-3-10
HEBREWS 1-4
Good Morning!
Jewish Christians were fed up; sick and tired; worn out; and were leaving grace and faith in Jesus to go back to law, works, and animal sacrifices. The persecutions were too much. The disappointments and discouragements were – well – disappointing and discouraging. They lost friends, family, and community over becoming Christians.
The Hebrew writer tries to convince them that Jesus is superior to everything under the Old Covenant; and salvation is worth putting up with any struggle or inconvenience. Do you think so? If your Christianity got really hard would you stay with it or bail out? The author of Hebrews has a theme going on…
• “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (2:1)
• “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (2:3)
• “He is able to help those who are being tempted.” (2:18)
• “Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” (3:1)
• “Hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” (3:14)
• “Let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” (4:1)
• “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (4:11)
• “Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” (4:14)
• “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (4:16)
The reoccurring theme here is to hold on and do whatever it takes to stay with Jesus and go to heaven. In times of struggle or doubt is leaving Christ; leaving his church; and going back to whatever you were before really going to make your life better? Will you be happier? Will you have a better hope? Will you really feel better about yourself and your future?
That’s enough to think about for now. More to come.
Barry
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Why Do You Do the Right Thing?
DAY 333
9-2-10
PHILEMON
Good Morning!
Paul wrote a personal note to his Christian friend Philemon asking him to take back his runaway slave who had become a Christian also. This unique situation – so foreign to our contemporary experience – teaches us the proper motivation for doing the right thing.
In Philemon 8-9 Paul wrote, “Although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.” Paul had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to do the right thing, but he chose to let him do it on his own accord for a more noble reason – love.
Why do you do the right thing? Because you are afraid of hell? Because you can’t get out of it? Because someone is making you or watching you? Because you feel guilty? As we grow and mature, our motivation for doing what is right must be the same as God’s motivation for saving us from sin… "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16-17)
Barry
9-2-10
PHILEMON
Good Morning!
Paul wrote a personal note to his Christian friend Philemon asking him to take back his runaway slave who had become a Christian also. This unique situation – so foreign to our contemporary experience – teaches us the proper motivation for doing the right thing.
In Philemon 8-9 Paul wrote, “Although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.” Paul had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to do the right thing, but he chose to let him do it on his own accord for a more noble reason – love.
Why do you do the right thing? Because you are afraid of hell? Because you can’t get out of it? Because someone is making you or watching you? Because you feel guilty? As we grow and mature, our motivation for doing what is right must be the same as God’s motivation for saving us from sin… "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16-17)
Barry
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
How to Live While Waiting for Jesus
DAY
332 9-1-10
TITUS 1-3
Good Morning!
Never wanting to be too simplistic, I love looking for simple, small portions of scripture that have a big impact on my life and how I live it. I found a good one.
Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:12-13)
Paul’s note to Titus is supposed to help the Christians on Crete to respond to God’s grace with personal godly living. This is good advice for us as well.
• Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passion.
• Live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.
• Do all this as you wait for the appearing of Jesus.
Simplistically Yours,
Barry
332 9-1-10
TITUS 1-3
Good Morning!
Never wanting to be too simplistic, I love looking for simple, small portions of scripture that have a big impact on my life and how I live it. I found a good one.
Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:12-13)
Paul’s note to Titus is supposed to help the Christians on Crete to respond to God’s grace with personal godly living. This is good advice for us as well.
• Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passion.
• Live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.
• Do all this as you wait for the appearing of Jesus.
Simplistically Yours,
Barry
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